Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Solicitor-General when he will answer the letter from Mr. H. R. Johnson of 18 March 2005, a constituent of the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I am told my office has no record of receiving a letter dated 18 March 2005 from Mr. H. R. Johnson. However, I will consider a response if the hon. Member was to send me a copy of the letter.

Africa

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to encourage African Governments to tackle corruption.

Hilary Benn: Corruption is a symptom of poor governance. DFID supports a range of governance reforms to tackle corruption, for example through programmes to improve public financial management, judicial and parliamentary oversight. DFID has also provided technical and financial support to dedicated anti-corruption commissions in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Malawi and Zambia. We are also working with our G8 partners to tackle corruption, for example through the G8 transparency initiative, which focuses on particularly on budget and procurement reform. Nigeria is a pilot country.

Africa

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid was donated by the United Kingdom to each African country per head of population in the last financial year; and what ranking the Government apply to the relative poverty of African countries.

Hilary Benn: The UK reports to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on overall UK development assistance by calendar rather than financial year. The following table sets out the amount of UK overseas development assistance to each African country for the calendar year 2003. These are the most recent figures available 1 . The table is ranked by the amount of UK overseas development assistance received per head of population.
	The Department for International Development's sixteen target countries in Africa are highlighted in the table. DFID includes a measure of relative poverty in the financial model which informs the allocation of development assistance to these sixteen countries—specifically gross national income (GNI) per capita, progress towards the millennium development goals and economic vulnerability.
	1 Information source:
	Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development Development Assistance Co-operation (OECD DAC) Online and World Development Report (WDI) Online.
	
		UK Net oda to Africa in 2003
		
			   £ millions £ sterling 
			  Population UK Net ODA UK ODA per head of population 
		
		
			 Sierra Leone 5,336,568 33.64 6.304 
			 Malawi 10,962,010 68.02 6.205 
			 Tanzania 35,888,960 174.82 4.871 
			 Ghana 20,669,260 80.38 3.889 
			 Zambia 10,402,960 40.35 3.879 
			 Rwanda 8,395,000 26.26 3.128 
			 Zimbabwe 13,101,750 36.07 2.753 
			 Uganda 25,280,000 64.09 2.535 
			 Mozambique 18,791,420 38.81 2.065 
			 Benin 6,720,250 12.94 1.926 
			 Lesotho 1,792,744 3.14 1.752 
			 South Africa 45,828,700 75.27 1.642 
			 Kenya 31,915,850 48.63 1.524 
			 Liberia 3,373,542 4.67 1.385 
			 Namibia 2,014,546 1.78 0.885 
			 Swaziland 1,105,525 0.85 0.770 
			 Cameroon 16,087,470 10.99 0.683 
			 Congo, Rep. 3,757,263 2.43 0.647 
			 Angola 13,522,110 8.44 0.624 
			 Eritrea 4,389,500 2.67 0.608 
			 Mauritius 1,222,188 0.74 0.606 
			 Sudan 33,545,730 20.22 0.603 
			 Ethiopia 68,613,470 38.53 0.562 
			 Botswana 1,722,468 0.70 0.405 
			 Gambia 1,420,895 0.57 0.401 
			 Mauritania 2,847,869 1.00 0.351 
			 Burundi 7,205,982 2.15 0.298 
			 Congo Dem.Rep. (Zaire) 53,153,360 13.88 0.261 
			 Somalia 9,625,918 2.17 0.225 
			 Nigeria 136,461,000 26.08 0.191 
			 Madagascar 16,893,900 3.10 0.183 
			 Guinea 7,908,905 1.29 0.163 
			 Chad 8,581,741 1.00 0.116 
			 Cote d'lvoire 16,835,420 1.31 0.078 
			 Togo 4,861,493 0.26 0.053 
			 Senegal 10,239,850 0.41 0.040 
			 Egypt 67,559,040 2.17 0.032 
			 Niger 11,762,250 0.27 0.023 
			 Algeria 31,832,610 0.48 0.015 
			 Mali 11,651,500 0.13 0.011 
			 Burkina Faso 12,109,230 0.07 0.006 
			 Cape Verde 469,681 0.00 0.000 
			 Central African Rep. 3,880,847 0.00 0.000 
			 Comoros 600,142 0.00 0.000 
			 Djibouti 705,480 0.00 0.000 
			 Gabon 1,344,433 0.00 0.000 
			 Guinea-Bissau 1,489,209 0.00 0.000 
			 Morocco 30,112,640 0.00 0.000 
			 Sao Tome and Principe 157,400 0.00 0.000 
			 Tunisia 9,895,201 0.00 0.000 
		
	
	Date: 8 June 2005
	Source:
	DAC Online and WDI Online

Botswana

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what foreign aid has been given by the UK to Botswana since 1997.

Hilary Benn: UK foreign aid to Botswana between 1997 and 2003 was worth £28.3 million, either channelled through bilateral aid or multilateral institutions such as the European Union, United Nations and The World Bank. DFID's programmes focused on capacity building and policy development in areas such as animal production and range management, support to civil society and HIV/AIDS. UK aid to Botswana has declined over time owing to DFID's commitment to give 90 per cent. of its bilateral aid to low income countries, with only 10 per cent. going to middle income countries like Botswana. The table gives a breakdown of annual figures up to 2003–04, the last year for which figures are available.
	
		
			£ million 
			 Period Bilateral aid Multilateral contributions Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 4.0 5.9 9.9 
			 1998–99 3.1 3.0 6.1 
			 1999–2000 3.0 1.6 4.6 
			 2000–01 2.4 0.9 3.3 
			 2001–02 2.0 0.2 2.2 
			 2002–03 1.4 0.1 1.5 
			 2003–04 0.7 Not available(1) 0.7 
		
	
	(1) The 2003 multilateral share figures are currently being calculated and will be available at the beginning of July 2005.

Counter-terrorism

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) proportion and (b) amount of his Department's resource budget was spent on counter-terrorism measures in (i) Africa, (ii) Afghanistan, (iii) Pakistan, (iv) the Philippines, (v) the remaining South and East Asia and Pacific countries and (vi) all other countries in each year since 2001–02.

Hilary Benn: DFID resources are not spent on direct counter-terrorism measures. Under the International Development Act (2002), development assistance must be used for the purpose of furthering sustainable development in countries outside of the UK or improving the welfare of the population of such countries.
	However, DFID's work on poverty reduction indirectly benefits global security. Terrorist leaders can exploit the issue of poverty as a means of mobilising popular support and legitimising their actions. Many of the structural factors that increase the risk of terrorism also matter for development: unmet political and economic aspirations, lack of jobs for skilled labour, weak states and poor governance. DFID support to poverty reduction, good governance, social inclusion and education in many poor countries helps to reduce the risk of terrorism.
	DFID has no bilateral programme in the Philippines.

Iraq

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentages of households in Iraq have access to (a) clean water and (b) electricity.

Hilary Benn: The most recent reliable source of data on living standards in Iraq is the "Iraq living Conditions Survey 2004" conducted by the Iraqi Central Office for Statistics and Information Technology in April and May 2004. The following information is drawn from this survey which can be found at http://www. iq.undp.org/ILCS/overview.htm.
	Access to clean water in Iraq varies significantly between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, 66 per cent. of households have reliable, safe drinking water; 33 per cent. have access to safe water but the supply is unreliable; and 1 per cent. of urban households are receiving unsafe drinking water. In rural areas, 43 per cent. of Iraqi households have reliable access to safe drinking water, 22 per cent. have access to safe drinking water but the supply is unreliable, and 34 per cent. have access only to unsafe drinking water.
	Almost all Iraqi households are connected to an electricity network, with little variance between urban and rural areas. However, only 15 per cent. of households report their electricity supply to be reliable: 85 per cent. of households experienced low voltage supply or a supply of less than 12 hours per day. 31 per cent. of households use a private generator to improve their access to electricity.
	DFID has committed over £70 million to infrastructure programmes in southern Iraq which are helping to improve water and electricity supplies for more than five million people. DFID is providing advisers to work with the Ministry of Electricity in Baghdad on developing a national energy strategy. Water and electricity projects are also being financed by other donors, including the USA, Japan, the United Nations and the World Bank, as well as from Iraq's own budget.

Ivory Coast

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what ways the Government are working with the Government of the Ivory Coast to tackle its debt.

Hilary Benn: The UK has cancelled 100 per cent. of aid loans to the Côte D'Ivoire under Retrospective Terms Adjustment (RTA). To date, this amounts to £2,562,000. Côte D'Ivoire's outstanding balance of aid loans owed to the UK amounts to £862,000, which will be cancelled (under RTA) as they fall due.
	The UK actively supports the progress of eligible countries through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, for example by supporting development of their debt management capacity under the HIPC Capacity Building Project. Since 1997–98, the UK has written off approximately £16.2 million of Côte D'Ivoire's debt under Paris Club agreements. Côte D'Ivoire's outstanding balance to the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) currently stands at £18.9 million. Once the Côte D'Ivoire reaches Decision Point, it will begin to receive interim relief on this debt, and would receive 100 per cent. relief from UK at Completion Point.
	Côte D'Ivoire's outstanding balance to the Commonwealth Development Corporation currently stands at just under £13,000,000. This would be suspended once Côte D'Ivoire reaches Decision Point, and cancelled at Completion Point.
	Due to the civil conflict in Côte D'Ivoire the country is currently off-track on the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) programme, which has meant that progress towards meeting the HIPC Decision Point conditions has been delayed.
	The United Kingdom is working closely with the international community in support of a durable political settlement in the Côte d'Ivoire. During 2004–05, DFID also provided £1.55 million in humanitarian assistance through international agencies and non-governmental organisations working there. DFID is continuing to monitor the humanitarian situation and is planning to provide £2 million in humanitarian assistance in 2005–06.

Nigeria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to assist in raising living standards in Nigeria.

Hilary Benn: Nigeria is the biggest country in Africa in terms of population, and one of the poorest. It also the least aided in terms of development assistance per capita. It has appalling human development indicators, reflecting decades of mismanagement and corruption by military dictatorships. The administration of President Obasanjo is now making progress and has developed a good poverty reduction strategy, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). The UK has doubled the size of our programme from £35 million in 2003–04 to £70 million this year. We plan to increase it further to £100 million, reflecting the progress being made by the federal government in starting to tackle poverty and in tackling corruption. The UK has also been supporting the case at for debt relief for Nigeria.

Overseas Aid

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of his Department's aid programme to the developed countries.

Hilary Benn: DFID's programme is aimed at helping developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Both DFID and our partner governments must be accountable for the way we use UK public resources to pursue this aim. We must be fully transparent about the way resources are spent; and we must be accountable for results both to the UK Parliament and public, and to the governments and citizens of our partner countries.
	To ensure transparency of its policies and plans, DFID publishes details of its work in our Annual Departmental Report, and in a wide range of other documents openly available on our website www.dfid.gov.uk.
	To ensure our accountability for delivering results, DFID has a clear public service agreement (PSA), which assesses the contribution made by DFID to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. DFID reports twice a year on progress against the PSA.
	To ensure transparency and accountability in the way our resources are spent in partner countries, DFID applies robust programme and financial management, and audit systems, for resources we administer directly. Where DFID provides resources for partner governments or non-government agencies to use through their own systems, we conduct thorough risk assessments of the robustness of these systems, and work with partners to strengthen these systems where necessary. All DFID projects and programmes are subject to audit—either by partner government audit systems, or through independent audit. DFID's overall expenditure is subject to audit by the UK National Audit Office.

Sierra Leone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to encourage development in Sierra Leone.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government's commitment of support to Sierra Leone is set out in a 10 year agreement, signed in November 2002. The key areas of our programme are security sector reform, governance reform including public administration reform, decentralisation, public financial management, diamond sector reform, anti corruption measures, private sector development and budgetary support. DFID has committed £120 million to the first three years of the agreement.
	A particular feature of the agreement is the inclusion of performance benchmarks agreed between the UK Government and the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), which commit the GoSL to reforms in exchange for our support. Quarterly reviews of progress against the performance benchmarks are held with Sierra Leone authorities.
	The UK is the largest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone. DFID works closely with other donors as members of the Development Partners Committee, which regularly brings together the Government of Sierra Leone and donors to discuss progress on development issues.

Trade Relations

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what opportunities his Department offers African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to choose between the EU Economic Partnership Agreement model and their own voluntary agreements in respect of trade relations.

Gareth Thomas: The Cotonou partnership agreement, signed in June 2000 between the European Union and the African Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP), foresees the negotiation of a series of World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible trading arrangements between the parties—Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The Cotonou agreement also states that alternatives should be provided to ACP countries that do not what to join these EPAs with the EU. In any alternative, the ACP countries should receive no worse market access to the EU than their existing situation. The ACP have requested a review of alternatives to take place in 2006, rather than 2004 as anticipated in Cotonou. Since it is the EU that will have to present the alternative options, DFID will work with other UK Government Departments and the European Commission to ensure that alternatives are presented for any countries that do not want to be part of the EPAs.
	The primary alternative to EPAs is a reformed generalised system of preferences (GSP), a non-contractual trade arrangement which the EU already offers to all developing countries, not just the ACP. DFID has supported research on the reforms which would be needed to make the GSP a viable alternative to EPAs. This research has been made public to inform negotiators' positions in both the ACP and the EU.
	Another alternative for any ACP country not wishing to sign an EPA, would be to enter into a bilateral free trade agreement with the EU. Although the individual ACP country would have greater scope to tailor the provisions of the agreement to its specific needs, a single country could be in a much weaker negotiating position with the EU than with a regional grouping, as in the case of EPAs.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to assist in tackling HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID is giving priority to tackling HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. The country is one of the worst affected in the world, with over 3,000 AIDS-related deaths per week; 25 per cent. of the adult population infected; life expectancy now well below 40 years; and over a million orphans. There is not enough money for the fight against AIDS in Zimbabwe with relatively little international assistance.
	DFID is one of the main donors supporting AIDS prevention programmes in Zimbabwe, such as supplying condom and support for voluntary counselling and testing centres. DFID also supports large-scale home-based care programmes for households affected by AIDS, implemented through NGOs. Through UN and NGO partners, we are developing plans to expand anti-retroviral treatment and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Annual spending on this programme has averaged about £8 million over the past few years. We intend to double this in the near future.

Armed Forces (Recruitment)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment rates to the armed forces.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 463W, to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne).

British Infantry (Response Capability)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of the British infantry to respond to additional urgent deployments.

Adam Ingram: The Infantry is structured to ensure that we have forces of appropriately high readiness in place to meet urgent contingent operations.

DC10/TriStar Fleets

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Royal Air Force DC10 and TriStar fleets to be phased out-of-service.

Adam Ingram: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the VC 10; the RAF does not have any DC10 aircraft in its inventory. On current plans the VC 10 and TriStar fleets will reach their out-of-service dates towards the middle of the next decade.

Naval Auxiliary Ships

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether naval auxiliary ships are required to go through the EU tendering process for construction and fitting out.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 June 2005
	Where auxiliary vessels are regarded as "warlike" MOD takes the view that such vessels are exempt from the EU procurement directives on competition.

Airlines

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list airlines which have been banned from travelling inside UK airspace.

Karen Buck: Any airline from outside the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland which wishes to pick up or put down passengers or cargo in the UK requires a permit from the Secretary of State for Transport.
	Currently the Secretary of State is refusing or would refuse to issue permits to aircraft operated by the airlines listed below because of evidence that they are not receiving adequate regulatory oversight from their national aviation authorities:
	any airline from Equatorial Guinea
	any airline from Liberia
	any airline from Tajikistan
	any airline from Sierra Leone
	any airline from Democratic Republic of the Congo
	Air Mauritanie (Mauritania)
	any airline from Swaziland.
	In addition, the Secretary of State has suspended the permit of Phuket Airlines (Thailand) because of operational safety concerns.

Car Clubs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to promote the use of car clubs in London.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport has taken a number of initiatives to promote car clubs, both inside and outside London.
	In July 2004, we published "Smarter Choices—Changing the Way We Travel". This sets out the findings from a major research project on the impact of a range of measures aimed at reducing traffic levels through encouraging people to choose different modes of travel from single-occupancy car use. The report contains a chapter on the potential effectiveness of car clubs.
	This was followed up in December 2004 with "Making Smarter Choices Work". It summarised the main report findings to help local authorities include measures such as car clubs in their local transport strategies. This was published in parallel with the revised Local Transport Plan guidance which included specific advice for local authorities on car clubs.
	We have also published a new, research-based, best practice guide "Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work" to encourage and help practitioners establish effective car clubs.

Car Clubs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what research his Department has undertaken into the impact on the number of car journeys of car clubs;
	(2)  what research his Department has undertaken into the (a) trends in and (b) development of formal car-sharing through online systems;
	(3)  what research his Department has conducted into car-sharing schemes; if he will place copies of research findings in the Library; and what plans his Department has to provide guidance for local transport plans relating to car-sharing schemes.

Karen Buck: In July 2004, the Department for Transport published "Smarter Choices—Changing the Way We Travel". This sets out the findings from a major research project into the impact of a range of measures aimed at reducing traffic levels through encouraging people to choose different modes of travel from single-occupancy car use. The report contains individual chapters on the potential effectiveness of car sharing and car clubs. Copies of the research are being placed in the Library. Building on the evidence presented in the report, we included specific wording and advice on car sharing and car clubs in the revised Local Transport Plan guidance which we published last December.
	We have also published a new, research-based, best practice guide "Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work" to encourage and help practitioners establish effective car share schemes and car clubs.

Road Traffic Accidents

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal traffic accidents there have been in Tamworth in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the Table.
	
		Fatal and non-fatal accidents, Tamworth: 1997 to 2003 Accidents
		
			  Fatal Non-Fatal All 
		
		
			 1997 2 253 255 
			 1998 0 230 230 
			 1999 0 224 224 
			 2000 3 223 226 
			 2001 2 235 237 
			 2002 0 236 236 
			 2003 1 259 260

Road Traffic Volumes

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage change in road traffic volumes over 2005 figures by (a) 2010, (b) 2015 and (c) 2020.

Stephen Ladyman: Projections of road traffic, using 2000 traffic levels as a base, were published in July 2004 in the White Paper "The Future of Transport".

Speed Cameras

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised in fines revenue from speed cameras in (a) England and (b) Essex in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is only available for 1999–2003 and is set out in the following tables that have been provided by the Home Office. These contain fine revenue from all speed cameras, therefore including enforcement outside of the National Safety Camera Programme. The increase in the number of penalties issued reflects in part the wider coverage of cameras with the national rollout of the Safety Camera Programme. The programme began with a pilot which included six police force areas in England in 2000. National rollout commenced in 2001. The number of police force areas taking part in the programme had increased to 24 in April 2002 and to 36 by the end of 2003.
	
		Table A: Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras(2) in England, 1999–2003
		
			  Fixed penalties Court proceedings 
			 Offence and year Number of tickets (3) Estimated revenue (£) 3 Number of fines Total amount of fine (£) Average fine(5) 
		
		
			 1999 395,900 15,836,000 24,800 2,811,000 113 
			 2000 556,000 24,395,000 25,700 2,830,000 110 
			 2001 791,200 47,474,000 31,500 3,546,000 113 
			 2002 1,012,000 60,720,000 31,800 3,333,000 105 
			 2003 1,600,000 96,012,000 50,400 5,337,000 106 
		
	
	(2) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(3) Paid ie no further action.
	(4) Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.
	(5) Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.
	
		Table B: Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras(6) in the Essex police force area, 1999–2003
		
			  Fixed penalties Court proceedings 
			 Offence and year Number of tickets (7) Estimated revenue (£) 3 Number of fines Total amount of fine (£) Average fine(9) 
		
		
			 1999 19,800 791,400 2,100 357,400 169 
			 2000 46,300 2,007,000 2,800 317,800 115 
			 2001 81,900 4,911,000 6,500 651,200 101 
			 2002 98,100 5,886,000 12,200 1,022,000 84 
			 2003 64,500 3,872,000 7,400 687,700 93 
		
	
	(6) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	(7) Paid ie no further action.
	(8) Estimate based on £40 fixed penalty charge to October 2000. From November 2000 the penalty was raised to £60.
	(9) Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.

Thameslink

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 131W, on Thameslink, whether (a) fast and (b) semi-fast trains stopped at (i) Mill Hill and (ii) Hendon under the Thameslink timetable in operation before the summer 2005 timetable; whether (A) fast and (B) semi-fast trains will stop under the new summer 2005 timetable at (1) Mill Hill and (2) Hendon; what the reasons for the changes to the timetable are; what assessment he has made of the effect of the new timetable on commuters from Mill Hill and Hendon; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: In the timetable that operated between 23 May 2004 and 11 December 2004, there were 68 services from Mill Hill Broadway to Kings Cross Thameslink. Two of these took 13 minutes, two took 15 minutes, one took 16 minutes, one took 17 minutes and the rest took between 19 and 23 minutes. There were 62 services from Hendon taking between 15 and 20 minutes.
	In the new timetable from 12 June there will be 66 services from Mill Hill Broadway to Kings Cross Thameslink taking between 18 and 22 minutes and there will be 66 services from Hendon taking between 15 and 19 minutes.
	The timing of services is for train operating companies to determine, having regard to their contractual requirements, in conjunction with Network Rail which allocates the necessary "train paths". Thameslink are making a number of service alterations from 12 June aimed at improving performance.

Agricultural Waste Regulations

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many responses she has received to the consultation on Agricultural Waste Regulations; how many were from growers; and what the results of the consultation were;
	(2)  when she will report on the consultation into Agricultural Waste Regulations.

Ben Bradshaw: The consultation paper on the draft Agricultural Waste Regulations was sent to a wide range of trade associations and other organisations (the main consultation). A summary consultation, with a pull-out questionnaire, was also sent to 162,000 farmers and growers in England and Wales (the summary consultation). We have received 103 responses to the main consultation and 2,485 responses to the summary consultation. It is not feasible separately to identify the number of responses received from growers.
	The consultation exercise is being carried out in compliance with the Cabinet Office's "Code of Practice on Consultation" which is available at: http://www. cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/index.asp. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation, a significant number of which were received after the closing date. The next step will be the publication of a summary of those responses and our analysis of them. We are not yet in a position to confirm the date of publication.

Biofuels Directive

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued to farmers in relation to ensuring the United Kingdom meets its biofuels targets under the EU Biofuels Directive.

Elliot Morley: Defra is committed to supporting the production of transport biofuels. They have potential for UK agriculture as they can be produced from mainstream crops and we are keen to develop such new market opportunities for farmers. We are working with the National Farmers Union, the Country Land and Business Association, biofuel trade associations, individual farmers and companies to develop markets and promote uptake. The potential of biofuel crops are promoted at farmer's seminars and conferences. In 2004, Defra and the British Association for Biofuels and Oils produced a booklet "The facts on biodiesel and bioethanol". Copies were distributed in a farming magazine and at seminars. The Single Payment Scheme brochures and Defra's website give guidance on claiming the Single Payment and the Energy Aid Payment for biofuel crops.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Independent Scientific Group on its conclusion that there was nothing to learn from the Republic of Ireland's study on bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) did not conclude that there was nothing to be learned from the Republic of Ireland's four-area badger study. The ISG recognised that the Republic of Ireland study added to the available evidence, but identified limitations in the applicability of the study to the situation in Great Britain.
	The Government's Strategic Framework for the sustainable control of bovine tuberculosis sets out a process for decision-making on badger culling, based on analysis of practicality, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. The Government are working on modeling (including cost-benefit analysis) badger-culling options using existing and emerging data, and this will include data from the Irish Four Area Trial.

Bovine Tuberculosis

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will introduce more rigorous pre-movement tuberculosis testing of cattle; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Department is considering a proposal for pre-movement testing in Great Britain, developed by one of the TB interest groups. The report of the group, which was chaired by a farmer, is available on the Defra website. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/pdf/pre-movementtest.pdf.
	We are considering the groups' recommendation.
	The policy will require agreement from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly. We aim to consult later this year on the detailed proposal. A proposal is also being developed for post-movement testing in Scotland (led by the Scottish Executive).

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to lay an order before Parliament implementing section 2 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Ben Bradshaw: The Nuisance Parking Offences under part 2 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act came into force on the 7 June. We hope to implement the abandoned vehicle measures in the autumn. The Fixed Penalty Notices relating to local environmental offences, including nuisance parking and abandoned vehicles, are due to be implemented by April 2006.

Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many options on the disposal of nuclear waste are being considered by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Elliot Morley: The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) launched the second phase of its Public and Stakeholder Engagement consultation programme on 4 April 2005. One of the items covered by this consultation is its proposed shortlist of options for the long-term management of the UK's higher level radioactive waste. Of the 15 options originally evaluated, CoRWM has proposed that four be carried forward to further assessment:
	Deep geological disposal
	Phased deep geological disposal
	Near-surface disposal of short-lived waste
	Long-term interim storage.
	This shortlist will be finalised in light of CoRWM's consultation. Further details can be found at www. corwm.org.uk

Litter/Abatement Orders

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the system of litter abatement orders.

Ben Bradshaw: The system of litter abatement orders was reviewed in Defra's "Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities" consultation published in October 2002. Responses to the consultation indicated that most local authorities are able to negotiate a solution before a litter abatement order is lodged. The principle behind the procedure is sound, but the use and application of litter abatement orders needs to be communicated to residents more effectively.
	The environmental charity, ENCAMS, sponsored by Defra, already provides information for the public on litter abatement orders. Defra is building on this further in its roll-out programme for the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which will include guidance on litter covering both existing and new legislation.

Rights of Way/Footpaths

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of (a) rights of way and (b) footpaths are (i) easy to use and (ii) in a good state of repair.

Jim Knight: The Best Value Performance Indicator figures for 2003–04 published by the Audit Commission show that an average of 69 per cent. of rights of way in England are easy to use. To qualify as easy to use the right of way should be in a good state of repair. The Best Value survey figures are for all types of rights of way and are not broken down to provide information on footpaths alone.
	Sewerage

Climate Change Levy

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total yield of the climate change levy in each year since its introduction; what its expected yield is in the 2005–06 financial year; by how much the income of the National Insurance Fund has been reduced in each year since the introduction of the climate change levy by the off-setting cuts in employers' contributions; and whether he plans to arrange for future proceeds of the levy to be transferred to the National Insurance Fund to pay for increases in pensions and other benefits.

John Healey: The climate change levy was introduced in 2001 with offsetting tax cuts for business, which included a 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' national insurance contributions. The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		Climate change levy (CCL) revenues and value of 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' national insurance contributions (NICs) £ million
		
			   CCL revenues(10) Value of 0.3 per cent. cut in employers' NICs(11) 
		
		
			 2001–02 771 1,035 
			 2002–03 826 1,125 
			 2003–04 816 1,185 
			 2004–05 (12)753 1,215 
			 2005–06 (13)800 1,275 
		
	
	(10) On accruals basis. Based on CCL declarations on trader returns.
	(11) Source: Based on HMT Tax Ready Reckoner.
	(12) Provisional
	(13) Expected
	The Government are committed to enabling pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. Reforms to pensioner tax and benefits since 1997 have meant that pensioners on average are £29 per week better off and the poorest third of pensioners are £39 per week better off than they would have been under the 1997 system.

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of deaths in each year since 2000 that were attributable to Clostridium difficile; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Lidington, dated 13 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the number of deaths in each year since 2000 that were attributable to Clostridium difficile. (3764)
	In the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), deaths involving enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile can all be identified from the code A04.7. Enterocolitis is the commonest illness caused by C. difficile infection. For causes other than enterocolitis that are also known to be associated with C. difficile, it is not possible to identify from ICD codes alone the number of deaths where C. difficile actually contributed to the death. For this reason, the only routinely available mortality statistics on C. difficile are those where it was associated with enterocolitis.
	The table below gives total mentions of C. difficile enterocolitis and the number where it was also the underlying cause of death for 2001 onwards. Comparable figures are not currently available before 2001, because no specific code exists in the Ninth Revision of the ICD.
	The Office for National Statistics is working with the Health Protection Agency on a special study to identify the total number of deaths where C. difficile was mentioned on the death certificate.
	
		Number of deaths where enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile was mentioned on the death certificate and the number of these mentions where it was also the underlying cause of death,(14) England and Wales, 2001–03 2
		
			  Total mentions Underlying cause 
		
		
			 2001 1,199 674 
			 2002 1,417 751 
			 2003 1,748 934 
		
	
	(14) Selected using the code A04.7 from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10)
	(15) Figures are for deaths occurring in the years 2001 to 2003.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

EC Budget

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the European Community Finances Statement on the EC budget for 2005.

Ivan Lewis: The annual "European Community Finances" White Paper ("Statement on the 2005 EC Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement") will be published on 23 June.

G8 Summit

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken in the preparation for the G8 Summit to extend debt cancellation to (a) Peru and (b) other highly indebted countries with large numbers living in absolute poverty which are not on the Highly Indebted Poor Countries list; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The debt of heavily indebted poor countries is addressed under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries' Initiative (HIPC). The UK continues to be absolutely committed to the rapid and full implementation of the HIPC Initiative to ensure that it delivers maximum debt relief for the world's poorest countries.
	The appropriate process for official bilateral creditors to tackle the debt problems of non-HIPC countries facing external debt problems is through the Paris Club's Evian Approach.
	Peru has rescheduled its external debt to Paris Club eight times since 1968. The last rescheduling was in 1996. Peru has not requested any further debt relief from Paris Club creditors since then. If Peru were to do so, and its request was accepted, the UK would deliver its share of any debt relief agreed in the Paris Club.

Income Statistics (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average annual income was per person in each London borough in each year since 1997.

John Healey: Information on average annual income in each London borough for the years 1999–2000 to 2002–03 can be found in "Total income by borough and district or unitary authority (Table 3.14)" at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#314
	Similar information for 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not available.

International Finance Facility

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the incoming President of the World Bank on the international finance facility.

Ivan Lewis: The IFF now has the support of almost 80 countries, including all the European members of the G7. The IFF has been discussed widely with the World Bank, including at the recent G8 Finance Ministers' Summit. The World Bank and IMF have noted that the IFF is technically feasible and the most advanced proposal to frontload aid and the 2005 World Bank Development Committee Communiqué noted that:
	". . . the analysis of technical feasibility of the IFF has created the conditions for the necessary political decisions on participation. We encourage interested donors to proceed with these proposals."

Personal Wealth

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of personal wealth per head of population in each (a) region and (b) nation of the United Kingdom.

John Healey: The information requested falls with the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 13 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current level of personal wealth per head of population in the regions and countries of the United Kingdom. (2837)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compile total net worth for the household sector only for the United Kingdom as a whole and not for individual regions or countries. The latest estimates are for 2003, published as part of the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts—The Blue Book. Estimates for 2004 will be published on 22 July 2005.
	
		Table A: 
		
			  United Kingdom household sector net worth 2003 
		
		
			 Total household net worth (£ billion) 5,477.8 
			 Household net worth per head of  population (£) 91,480 
		
	
	The total net worth is the sum of total non-financial assets and financial assets at the end of the reference period.
	The household sector covers households, sole trader enterprises and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs), such as charities.
	ONS do compile estimates of regional household income, the key series being gross disposable household income (GDHI). That is the amount of money that households have available for consumption expenditure or saving. The latest estimates are for 2003 and are consistent with the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts. These are shown in table B.
	
		Table B: Gross disposable household income for 2003
		
			 Geography Total GDHI (£ million) GDHI per head of population (£) 
		
		
			 United Kingdom(16) 750,946 12,610 
			 North East 27,393 10,787 
			 North West 78,652 11,559 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 57,415 11,462 
			 East Midlands 49,377 11,612 
			 West Midlands 61,455 11,552 
			 East of England 74,762 13,685 
			 London 112,551 15,235 
			 South East 115,267 14,265 
			 South West 63,511 12,704 
			 Wales 32,720 11.137 
			 Scotland 59,439 11,753 
			 Northern Ireland 18,403 10,809 
		
	
	(16) Excludes GDHI from the "extra regio" category which covers the contribution to GDHI from UK embassy staff and forces personnel stationed overseas

Licensing Act

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made in (a) South Shropshire and (b) Bridgworth district council areas for the new licences introduced by the Licensing Act 2003; what estimate she has made of the number of applications in each council area which remain to be made; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Information on the number of applications for converting existing licences into premises licences and club premises certificates received to date by licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 is not kept by my Department. Licensing authorities, which are in the main local authorities, are responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime, which will come into effect in November. Information on local licence application levels should be available from the respective district or borough council.

Broadcasting Regulations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State of standards of decency in broadcasting.

James Purnell: Decisions on broadcast programme standards are a matter for Ofcom to determine independently of Government, according to the provisions of the Broadcasting and Communications Acts.
	The Secretary of State was briefed by Ofcom about their proposals for the regulation of standards in broadcast content prior to publication of the new programme code.

Active Spaces Scheme

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the costs have been of the development and operation of the Active Spaces scheme; and how many people have used it to date.

Richard Caborn: Active Places is a free to use, on-line database of sports facilities in England.
	The cost of Active Places will be £5.2 million over three years. These costs cover the initial development, updating of the data and hosting of the system. Active Places is joint funded by The Big Lottery Fund and Sport England.
	The Active Places website had 106,576 visits in the period from its launch in July 2004 to April 2005. The Active Places database can be found on www. activeplaces.com

Faith Awareness Training

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants in the Department received faith awareness training in 2004.

Richard Caborn: All DCMS staff receive mandatory equal opportunities training which covers religion and belief. We have also issued detailed guidance to all staff.

Faith Communities

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent consultations have been carried out by her Department with representatives of faith communities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: One of the four Strategic Priorities of the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is to
	"increase and broaden the impact of culture and sport, to enrich individual lives, strengthen communities and improve the places where people live, now and for future generations".
	Implicit in this is a commitment to ensure that all of our sectors, be it arts, sport, heritage, museums, libraries and archives reflect and are accessible by the wide range of communities in the UK including people of all faiths and none. Also one of the 10 commitments in our Five-Year Plan published this year is that we will consult the public on an unprecedented scale ensuring that we are open and accountable.
	Faith communities have been an explicit key part of recent public consultations including the Lottery, BBC Royal Charter review, the Ecclesiastical Exemption Review and the Olympics.
	DCMS Ministers and officials met with representatives of faith communities on a number of occasions in 2003–05 to discuss their views about the Gambling Bill.
	DCMS also worked closely with the faith community in developing policies for the Communications Act, notably in relation to allowing religious groups to hold broadcasting licences.
	The Central Religious Advisory Committee has been established to advise the BBC and Ofcom on religious broadcasting policy and comment on programmes once broadcast. Ofcom have also recently conducted research among people of different faiths about their perceptions of broadcast media.
	12 of the 132 responses to our recent Culture at the Heart of Regeneration consultation were from faith based organisations.
	Bodies such as the British Library have also been careful to consult faith representatives in the appropriate display of objects from those faiths.

Pigeon Racing

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will press for pigeon racing to be recognised as a sport.

Richard Caborn: Decisions on whether particular activities and pastimes should be recognised as sports for official and funding purposes are made by unanimous agreement between the home country sports councils. As such it would be inappropriate for Government to intervene.
	In the first instance, I would recommend a submission to the relevant sports council, outlining the case for pigeon racing. The sports council will be able to provide information on the criteria for recognition of an activity as a sport.

Sport Across Staffordshire

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been given to Sport Across Staffordshire in the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The information you requested is provided in the following table:
	
		Sport across Staffordshire funding £
		
			 Year commitment made 
			 Award programme Lottery Exchequer Total 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Active sports 1,319,945 — 1,319,945 — 860,463 459,482 — — 
			 County sports — — — — — — — — 
			 Core funding 69,040 — 69,040 — — — — 69,040 
			 Exchequer grant — 13,000 13,000 — — — 10,000 3,000 
			 CSCS — 214,112 214,112 — — — 80,638 133,474 
			 Step into sport — 21,775 21,775 — — — — 21,775 
			 Club links — 6,500 6,500 — — — — 6,500 
			 Total 1,388,985 255,387 1,644,372 0 860,463 459,482 90,638 233,789

Bankruptcies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies there were in each London borough in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what assessment the Department has made of recent changes in the numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table records the numbers of individual bankruptcy orders and company compulsory liquidations in the London region classified according to official receivers' office from 2002 to 2004.
	Figures are not separately available for each London borough.
	
		Numbers of compulsory insolvencies recorded in the London official receivers offices, 2002—04 l
		
			 Annual totals Bankruptcy orders Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2002 1,457 1,147 
			 2003 1,933 864 
			 2004 4,246 1,114 
		
	
	(18) The 2004 London figure includes Public Interest Unit (PIU) and Carousel, which together amount to 15 bankruptcies and 120 company compulsory liquidations

Bankruptcies

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) individuals and (b) companies were declared bankrupt in each of the past five years in (i) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (ii) England.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Compulsory insolvency figures are only available on the basis of the official receivers' office dealing with the cases, therefore it is not possible to separate those pertaining to the East Riding of Yorkshire or England exactly. (i) The first table gives annual figures for the number of individual bankruptcies and company compulsory liquidations dealt with by the official receivers' office in Hull, which covers the county courts of Beverley, Great Grimsby, Grimsby, Hull, Kingston-upon-Hull, Malton, Scarborough, Scunthorpe, Whitby and York. The Hull office covers the majority of the East Riding of Yorkshire but also includes a number of county courts from neighbouring counties/unitary authorities. A small part of the East Riding of Yorkshire (the county court of Goole) is administered by the official receivers' office at Sheffield.
	
		Compulsory insolvencies registered at the official receivers' office in Hull, 2000–04
		
			  Individual bankruptcies Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2000 796 91 
			 2001 907 86 
			 2002 926 96 
			 2003 906 96 
			 2004 1,129 72 
		
	
	(ii) The table gives the totals for individual bankruptcies and company compulsory liquidations for official receivers' offices located in England for the past five years. This may not provide an accurate record of the numbers of bankrupt individuals actually resident in England or insolvent companies registered in England, because the boundaries of the official receivers' offices differ from those for standard geographies.
	
		Compulsory insolvencies registered at the official receivers' office in England, 2000–04
		
			  Individual bankruptcies Company compulsory liquidations 
		
		
			 2000 20,522 4,734 
			 2001 22,526 4,508 
			 2002 23,274 6,046 
			 2003 26,967 5,065 
			 2004 34,628 4,444

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which 20 solicitors received the highest number of deceased miners' claims in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The solicitors who received the most claims in relation to deceased miners are as set out in the following tables:
	
		Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease2001
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Mark Gilbert Morse 4,269 
			 2 Thompsons 1,314 
			 3 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 895 
			 4 Hugh James Ford Simey 822 
			 5 Raleys Solicitors 564 
			 6 Browell Smith and Co 489 
			 7 Moss Solicitors 170 
			 8 Graysons 169 
			 9 Beresfords Solicitors 166 
			 10 Watson Burton 155 
			 11 Meloy Whittle Robinson 123 
			 12 The Legal Warehouse 111 
			 13 J M Skinner Solicitors 108 
			 14 Ingrams Solicitors 87 
			 15 Corries 84 
			 16 Lopian Wagner Solicitors 74 
			 17 Towells Solicitors 74 
			 18 AMS Law 74 
			 19 Colemans Solicitors 70 
			 20 Mortons Solicitors 70 
		
	
	
		2002
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 1,626 
			 2 Mark Gilbert Morse 781 
			 3 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 557 
			 4 Beresfords Solicitors 556 
			 5 Browell Smith and Co 439 
			 6 Raleys Solicitors 437 
			 7 The Legal Warehouse 234 
			 8 Corries 194 
			 9 Ingrams Solicitors 172 
			 10 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 152 
			 11 Moss Solicitors 134 
			 12 Graysons 126 
			 13 Hugh James Ford Simey 120 
			 14 Mortons Solicitors 117 
			 15 Avalon 84 
			 16 Gorvin Smith Fort 72 
			 17 Atteys 71 
			 18 Morisons Solicitors 62 
			 19 Emsleys Solicitors 60 
			 20 Pannone and Partners 55 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Hugh James Ford Simey 13,999 
			 2 Beresfords Solicitors 10,160 
			 3 Barber and Co 7,084 
			 4 Mark Gilbert Morse 5,233 
			 5 Avalon 2,676 
			 6 Thompsons 2,248 
			 7 Watson Burton 2,109 
			 8 Onyems and Partners 1,547 
			 9 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1,519 
			 10 Raleys Solicitors 1,306 
			 11 Corries 1,114 
			 12 Birchall Blackburn 1,077 
			 13 Ingrams Solicitors 1,000 
			 14 Browell Smith and Co 844 
			 15 Proddow and Mackay Solicitors 827 
			 16 The Legal Warehouse 820 
			 17 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 696 
			 18 Wake Smith 646 
			 19 BRM Solicitors 594 
			 20 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 474 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			  Number  Solicitors(19) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Hugh James Ford Simey 9,949 
			 2 Avalon 8,744 
			 3 Beresfords Solicitors 6,940 
			 4 Raleys Solicitors 5,777 
			 5 Thompsons 5,406 
			 6 Delta Legal 5,056 
			 7 Browell Smith and Co 4,682 
			 8 Birchall Blackburn 3,401 
			 9 Corries 2,790 
			 10 Mark Gilbert Morse 2,659 
			 11 Barber and Co 2,351 
			 12 Hilary Meredith Solicitors 1,927 
			 13 1 Legal Solicitors 1,850 
			 14 Recompense Ltd 1,722 
			 15 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1,572 
			 16 Irwin Mitchell 1,551 
			 17 Bailey Bravo Jobling 1,532 
			 18 Ingrams Solicitors 1,308 
			 19 Gorman Hamilton Solicitors 1,188 
			 20 The Legal Warehouse 1,080 
		
	
	(19) Top twenty solicitors are in descending order and based on the number of claims received in the year. Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered, i.e. exclude pool of claims accepted with minimum data, awaiting further information to permit cross-referencing and duplicate checks prior to full registration.
	(20) Claims registered reflects the total number of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	
		Vibration white finger2001
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Browell Smith and Co 12 
			 2 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 8 
			 3 Thompsons 4 
			 4 The Paul Rooney Partnership 3 
			 5 Latham and Co Solicitors 3 
			 6 Graysons 1 
			 7 McConville O'Neill 1 
			 8 Colemans Solicitors 1 
			 9 Raleys Solicitors 1 
			 10 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 1 
			 11 Mark Gilbert Morse 1 
			 12 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 1 
			 13 Frank Alien Pennington Solicitors 1 
			 14 Furley Page 1 
		
	
	
		2002
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Beresfords Solicitors 391 
			 2 Hugh James Ford Simey 349 
			 3 Thompsons 342 
			 4 Towells Solicitors 239 
			 5 Graysons 148 
			 6 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 147 
			 7 Moss Solicitors 97 
			 8 Raleys Solicitors 93 
			 9 AMS Law 76 
			 10 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 75 
			 11 The Legal Warehouse 56 
			 12 Browell Smith and Co 46 
			 13 Irwin Mitchell 42 
			 14 O H Parsons 27 
			 15 Motions Solicitors 22 
			 16 Ingrams Solicitors 18 
			 17 Pannone and Partners 15 
			 18 Meloy Whittle Robinson 15 
			 19 Atteys 15 
			 20 Keeble Hawson Moorhouse 12 
		
	
	
		2003
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 208 
			 2 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 113 
			 3 Beresfords Solicitors 105 
			 4 Hugh James Ford Simey 78 
			 5 Watson Burton 77 
			 6 Raleys Solicitors 67 
			 7 Atteys 53 
			 8 Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors 53 
			 9 Graysons 42 
			 10 T S Edwards and Son Solicitors 40 
			 11 AMS Law 33 
			 12 The Legal Warehouse 31 
			 13 Hopkins 30 
			 14 Browell Smith and Co 26 
			 15 Corries 16 
			 16 Towells Solicitors 15 
			 17 Pannone and Partners 13 
			 18 Furley Page 13 
			 19 Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin 11 
			 20 Mortons Solicitors 11 
		
	
	
		2004
		
			  Number  Solicitors(21) Claims registered 2 
		
		
			 1 AMS Law 5 
			 2 Beresfords Solicitors 1 
			 3 Corries 1 
			 4 Mortons Solicitors 1 
		
	
	(21) Top twenty solicitors are in descending order and based on the number of claims received in the year.
	(22) Claims registered reflects the total number of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted by Vendside in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of claims submitted by Vendside is as follows:
	
		
			 Total deceased claims registered COPD VWF Total 
		
		
			 2003 59 113 172 
			 2004 46 0 46 
			 Total 105 113 218 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Claims registered reflects the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	2. Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered, i.e. exclude pool of claims accepted with minimum data, awaiting further information to permit cross-referencing and duplicate checks prior to full registration.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted by (a) Beresfords, (b) Wake Smith, (c) AMS Law and (d) Moss solicitors in 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: Deceased miners claims submitted in 2004 were as follows:
	
		
			 Solicitor COPD 1 VWF 1 
		
		
			 AMS Law 816 5 
			 Beresfords Solicitors 6,940 1 
			 Moss Solicitors 125 0 
			 Wake Smith 87 0 
			 Total 7,968 6 
		
	
	(23) Claims registered reflects the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.

Coal Health Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many deceased miners' claims were submitted from (a) Bassetlaw constituency, (b) Mansfield constituency, (c) Nottinghamshire, (d) East Midlands and (e) Yorkshire in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The numbers requested are as follows:
	
		
			  2003 2004 
			 Solicitor COPD VWF COPD VWF 
		
		
			 Bassetlaw constituency 629 28 635 1 
			 Mansfield constituency 586 35 645 0 
			 Nottinghamshire,  
			 Derbyshire and Leicestershire 306 154 493 0 
			 Yorkshire 17,011 340 21,625 6 
			 Total 18,532 557 23,398 7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Claims registered reflect the total of deceased claims registered, i.e. does not include claims that were registered live but have died since.
	2. Statistics for Bassetlaw and Mansfield are based on claimant postcode for the relative constituency. Statistics for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and Yorkshire are based on deceased claims registered in that area by solicitor postcode.

Energy White Paper

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale he is applying to the review of the Energy White Paper, with particular reference to nuclear fission.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government remain committed to the framework for energy policy set out in the Energy White Paper in 2003. However, we keep progress towards our energy policy goals under review. One example is the Climate Change Programme Review, which is already showing that we will need to do more to reach our domestic goal for carbon reductions and we will be considering the options for correcting this shortfall.
	The Energy White Paper set out our policy in relation to nuclear fission. It did not make proposals for building new nuclear power stations but did not rule out the possibility that at some point in the future new nuclear build might be necessary if we are to meet our carbon targets.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many submissions have been provided to the consultation on Export Credits Guarantee Department anti-bribery and corruption procedures since December 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 9 June 2005
	One written and two oral (to be followed by written) representations have thus far been received. The consultation closes on 18 June 2005.

Manufacturing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on manufacturing output.

Alun Michael: Manufacturing output increased by 0.9 per cent. between March and April but declined by 1.4 per cent. on the three-month moving average and by 0.7 per cent. in the three months to April compared with the same period last year. It is important to recognise that manufacturing output data can be volatile, and prone to large revisions over time. Almost all the major independent forecasters are forecasting that output will grow in 2005 for the third successive year.
	Manufacturing remains vital to the UK economy, and the Government want a successful manufacturing sector producing high value-added products. We are committed to providing the right support through the manufacturing strategy, which sets out an action plan to develop the sector and help more and more companies make the transition to high value manufacturing.

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is for protecting natural gas supplies being imported into the UK from the (a) former Soviet Union and (b) Middle East up to 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: As set out in the White Paper "Our Energy Future—creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, the Government believes that allowing the free operation of a competitive UK market, within an appropriate regulatory framework, is the most efficient way to ensure security of gas supply. Commercial operators have every incentive to ensure diverse sources of gas, supply routes and entry points so as to reduce the risks arising from supply interruption from any one source. The current UK gas market arrangements are already delivering a number of competing gas import projects, potentially delivering gas from such diverse sources as Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Algeria, Qatar, and other Liquefied Natural Gas exporters.
	We also engage with key producers, both bilaterally and multilaterally, including those in the middle east and the former Soviet Union. For example, the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue encompasses discussion across all energy sectors. We believe that action with Russia to improve energy efficiency in both extraction and use of energy could have a major impact on the amount of oil and gas available for export. This would benefit the EU's security of supply but would also have a very positive effect on the Russian economy and environment. During our EU presidency we aim to re-invigorate the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue to promote investment energy efficiency, network development and energy trade.
	An important part of our engagement with energy producing and transit countries is through the multilateral Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which promotes the rule of law in energy trade, investment and transit between its contracting parties and thereby improves security of energy supply. ECT signatories comprise all of Europe, all the former Soviet Union and others. Since 1999 members have been negotiating a Protocol intended to supplement existing ECT provisions on energy transit by offering negotiated access to pipelines and grids. However, differences between the EU and Russia on key outstanding issues have prevented the Transit Protocol from being concluded. As part of our EU presidency union, the UK will work closely with all relevant parties to try to conclude the Transit Protocol negotiations, although success remains dependent on the EU and Russia being able to resolve their differences.

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the UK's energy needs are met by natural gas; and what the forecast is for (a) 2010 and (b) 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: Forty one per cent of the UK's energy needs in 2004 were met by natural gas. According to the latest energy projections, the corresponding figures for 2010 and 2020 are 41 per cent. and 46 per cent. respectively.
	Energy projections are available at the following websites: http://www.dti.gov:uk/energy/sepn/uep2004.pdf which provides detailed estimates to 2010 and http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep addendum.pdf which provides an overview of projections to 2020.

Natural Gas

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from where he expects natural gas used in the UK to be sourced in (a) 2010 and (b) 2020; and in what quantities.

Malcolm Wicks: As set out in the White Paper "Our Energy Future—creating a low carbon economy" published in February 2003, the Government believe that allowing the free operation of a competitive UK market, within an appropriate regulatory framework, is the most efficient way to ensure security of gas supply. Commercial operators have every incentive to ensure diverse sources of gas, supply routes and entry points so as to reduce the risks arising from supply interruption from any one source. The current UK gas market arrangements are already delivering a number of competing gas import projects, potentially delivering gas from such diverse sources as Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Algeria, Qatar, and other Liquefied Natural Gas exporters.
	The latest Joint Energy Security of Supply report, published in November 2004, gives DTI's forecast of UK gas demand for 2004–13. Forecast demand in 2010 and 2013 is 94 billion cubic metres (bcm) and 98 bcm respectively (net of producers' own use). There are existing import facilities into the UK from Norway and via the UK-Belguim Interconnector, and the report notes that perhaps 40 per cent. of UK demand might be met by imports in 2010 and 80 per cent. in 2020. It also records the capacities of the publicly announced proposed new import facilities for the UK. These are expected to be in place before 2010.
	
		
			 Project Estimated annual capacity in bcm 
		
		
			 Langeled South Pipeline (Lange Gas field development  in Norway) 25 
			 Statfjord Late Life 5 
			 Compressors at Zeebrugge in Belgium to increase import capacity into the UK 15 
			 Interconnector from Balgzand (Netherlands) to Bacton 17 
			 Isle of Grain liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility 14 
			 Milford Haven LNG import facility (1) 6 
			 Milford Haven LNG import facility (2) 10 
		
	
	This report can be found at http:/www.dti.gov.uk/energy/jess/jessreport5.pdf.
	Where the gas actually flows from will be a reflection of commercial decisions.

Nuclear Industry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  whether it is his policy that all existing nuclear sites should be fully cleaned up to a standard allowing unrestricted use when they cease to be used for operational purposes;
	(2)  whether it is his policy that the clean-up of nuclear sites should always follow the Best Practicable Environmental Option.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department published a statement of the UK Government and devolved Administration's policy on the decommissioning of all nuclear facilities in September 2004. The document: "The Decommissioning of the UK Nuclear Industry's Facilities" is available on the Department's website (dti.gov.uk). The statement covers all aspects of decommissioning operations and strategies and the need to consider the applicability of the Best Practicable Environmental Option to sites as part of the decommissioning process.

Thorp Plant

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the recent leak of radioactive material from a pipe at the Thorp plant.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin), on 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 646–47W.

Wind Farms

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what subsidies the Government make available for wind farms; and according to what criteria they are given.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 9 June 2005
	The Government's main instrument for supporting the establishment of wind farms is the renewables obligation. The obligation is a market based support mechanism that requires licensed electricity suppliers to provide a specified and growing proportion of their electricity from renewable sources eligible under the obligation. Wind farms are one of the technologies supported under the obligation. This provides an assured market for renewable electricity and ensures that it attracts a premium.
	To date, the Government have committed £117 million in grant support towards the capital installation of early offshore wind farm development. No direct grant support is provided for onshore wind farm development except for some small household or community installations under the clear skies scheme.
	The criteria for determining eligibility for the last round of capital grants for offshore wind projects can be found at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/renewables/business pdfs/guidancenotes.pdf.

Information Leaks

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in identifying the source of the leak within the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Ombudsman's office to the Press Association in December 2004 in relation to the case communicated to him on 31 January.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Lady to the letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Mr. Pearson) of 23 February 2005 in reply to your correspondence of 31 January 2005 on this matter.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total Northern Ireland Tourist Board investment in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency was in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is set out at table A. In addition to this, table B details a number of payments issued by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) to various groups throughout the last five years. This data is not available on a parliamentary constituency basis as the initiatives funded were across all constituencies in Northern Ireland.
	Financial assistance was provided to accommodation projects by the NITB until March 2002 however since April 2002 this assistance has been administered through Invest NI.
	
		Table A: Financial assistance paid to all tourism projects by constituency £
		
			 Constituency 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Across all constituencies and cross border(25) 141,501.40 241,926.50 118,687.13 101,933.75 
			 Belfast East 38,300.00 4,200.00 9,000.00 17,500.00 
			 Belfast North 238,912.97 155,200.00 4,500.00 4,000.00 
			 Belfast South 755,466.36 325,187.32 1,368,103.00 13,800.63 
			 Belfast West 3,461.00 20,000.00 741,500.00 20,000.00 
			 East Antrim 29,364.71 498,782.28 693,000.59 400.00 
			 East Londonderry 169,250.57 723,194.17 364,399.06 10,189.05 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 614,042.15 389,086.65 1,432,934.50 9,976.91 
			 Foyle 623,537.43 460,362.51 1,591,163.73 76,113.45 
			 Lagan Valley 35,685.51 58,945.92 39,709.83 3,800.00 
			 Mid Ulster 29,255.82 87,058.49 184,609.83 118,765.03 
			 Newry and Armagh 204,867.55 824,062.99 2,095,527.42 57,274.62 
			 North Antrim 512,327.24 1,094,452.80 747,906.39 68,065.85 
			 North Down 67,550.41 38,429.11 1,200.00 28,700.00 
			 South Antrim 558,214.39 120,798.70 94,441.90 8,000.00 
			 South Down 1,652,777.52 133,684.37 655,129.66 18,489.98 
			 Strangford 300,075.69 276,832.67 1,746.19 46,736.58 
			 Upper Bann 1,809.82 16,224.34 43,381.62 500.00 
			 West Tyrone 262,782.33 189,860.33 157,348.68 4,368.52 
			 Total 6,239,182.87 8,658,289.15 10,344,289.53 608,614.37 
		
	
	
		
			£ 
			 Constituency 2004 2005 Total 
		
		
			 Across all constituencies and  cross border(25) 101,558.38 15,896.69 721,503.85 
			 Belfast East 20,000.00 10,000.00 99,000.00 
			 Belfast North 1,000.00 9,000.00 412,612.97 
			 Belfast South — — 3,462,557.31 
			 Belfast West — 15,000.00 799,961.00 
			 East Antrim 500.00 — 1,222,047.58 
			 East Londonderry 30,013.53 3,000.00 1,300,046.38 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 41,857.92 15,392.47 2,503,290.60 
			 Foyle 11,654.98 4,123.97 2,766,956.07 
			 Lagan Valley 2,021.79 — 140,163.05 
			 Mid Ulster 20,790.00 2,310.00 442,789.17 
			 Newry and Armagh 23,991.20 7,000.00 3,212,723.78 
			 North Antrim 36,119.81 — 2,458,872.09 
			 North Down 8,000.00 — 143,879.52 
			 South Antrim — — 781,454.99 
			 South Down 10,551.61 28,775.13 4,499,408.27 
			 Strangford 57,375.74 — 682,766.87 
			 Upper Bann — — 61,915.78 
			 West Tyrone — 7,093.37 621,453.23 
			 Total 365,434.96 117,591.63 26,333,402.51 
		
	
	(25) Across all constituencies and cross border relates to projects which straddle more than one parliamentary constituency.
	In addition the following payments were issued to various groups throughout the financial years indicated. The data is not available on a constituency basis as the initiatives funded were across all constituencies in Northern Ireland.
	
		Table B
		
			  £ 
			 Date Amount 
		
		
			 Financial year to:  
			 31 March 2000 1,063,747.98 
			 31 March 2001 1,000,769.88 
			 31 March 2002 1,045,950.90 
			 31 March 2003 1,119,301.70 
			 31 March 2004 1,891,651.40 
			 31 March 2005 1,655,102.57 
			 Total 7,776,524.43

Osteoporosis

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to raise awareness of osteoporosis in Northern Ireland; and how much funding has been directed towards its treatment in the last five years for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is raising awareness of osteoporosis through a range of strategies and action plans designed to encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet, smoking prevention/cessation and a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.
	In addition to lifestyle changes, there are a number of interventions, including medicines, used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The choice of intervention is a matter for clinical judgment, having taken account of the evidence of effectiveness, clinical circumstances and the views expressed by the individual patient. The total cost of these interventions, including fracture treatment, is not available. However, data is available on the costs associated with medicines dispensed by community pharmacists for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The position for the years 2000 to 2004 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £000 
			  Ingredient cost 
		
		
			 2000 1,571 
			 2001 2,183 
			 2002 3,189 
			 2003 4,526 
			 2004 5,838 
			 Total 17,307

Prison Service

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase representation of the (a) Roman Catholic and (b) ethnic minority communities within the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Shaun Woodward: Over recent years the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reduced staffing levels after the closure of Belfast and Maze prisons. There have been no major recruitment campaigns to affect the composition of the service.
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service did however recruit Night Custody Officers last year. The Service specifically encouraged Roman Catholics and women to apply in the job advertisements which read as follows:
	"The Northern Ireland Prison Service is committed to equality of opportunity in employment. All applications for employment will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.
	The Service welcomes applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, gender, race, political opinion, age, marital status, sexual orientation or whether or not they have dependants. As Roman Catholics and women are currently known to be under-represented in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, applications from the Roman Catholic section of the community and from women would be particularly welcome".
	The Northern Ireland Prison Service has also put in place an outreach programme aimed at young people from the under-represented communities, including ethnic minorities, with the aim of encouraging applications for future vacancies.

Tunes Plateau

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what stage has been reached in the consultation process over the proposed siting of the offshore wind farm at Tunes Plateau, Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The project remains at feasibility stage. The statutory consultation process has not yet commenced as the developers have not submitted the evaluation of environmental impacts necessary to support an application for a marine construction licence, or consent to build as required under Article 39 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

Central Middlesex Hospital

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting to see a consultant at Central Middlesex hospital on (a) 1 May 1997, (b) 7 June 2001 and (c) the latest date for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Table 1 shows the total number of patients waiting for inpatient admission to Central Middlesex and Northwick Park hospitals as at 31 March 1997. On 1 April 1999 these two hospitals merged to become North West London Hospitals NHS Trust. Therefore, since 1 April 1999, data has been collected at trust level.
	
		Table 1: Number waiting for in-patient admission
		
			  Central Middlesex hospital Northwick Park hospital North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 3,089 6,216 not applicable 9,305 
			 31 May 2001 not applicable not applicable 7,280 7,280 
			 30 April 2005 not applicable not applicable 7,637 17,637 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment.
	
		Table 2. Number waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment
		
			  Central Middlesex hospital Northwick Park hospital North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 863 1,026 not applicable 1,889 
			 31 May 2001 not applicable not applicable 1779 1,779 
			 30 April 2005 not applicable not applicable 775 775

Clostridium Difficile

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to hospital trusts on the (a) prevention and (b) eradication of Clostridium difficile.

Jane Kennedy: "Clostridium difficile: infection prevention and management" was issued to national health service hospital trusts in 1994 and includes advice on antibiotic policies arid isolating patients. Copies of the report are available in the Library.
	Information on outbreak control is also included in the National Clostridium difficile standards group report to the Department, produced in 2003, available on the Health Protections Agency website at
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics az/clostridium difficile/FINALCdiffreport.pdf.
	Copies have been placed in the Library.

GP Services (Hornsey and Wood Green)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her latest estimate is of the general practitioner to patient ratio in Hornsey and Wood Green; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: There is no statutory general practitioner to patient ratio. Any individual is free to approach a GP practice near to where he/she is living and apply to join the practice's list of national health service patients.
	The Department does not collect information on GP to patient ratios. However, the table shows the number of GPs per 100,000 patients in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) area.
	
		General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(28) per 100,000 patients for Haringey teaching PCTAs at 30 September 2004 Numbers (headcount)
		
			  Haringey teaching PCT 5C9 
		
		
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and  registrars) 148 
			 Patients 284,093 
			 General medical practitioners per 100,000 patients 52.1 
		
	
	(28) General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes contracted GPs, general medical service (GMS) others and personal medical service (PMS) others. Prior to September 2004, this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	Source:
	NHS health and social care information centre GMS and PMS statistics.

Illegal Meat

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to tackle the sale of illegal meat unfit for human consumption in restaurants.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 530W.

Macular Degeneration

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated with photodynamic treatment for wet macular degeneration in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in the latest year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: In 2003–04, there were 3,418 finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis was "degeneration of macular and posterior pole" and an operation was carried out in the national health service. For trusts in Gloucestershire, there were 37 finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis was "degeneration of macular and posterior pole" and an operation was carried out in the NHS. The Department does not hold information on the use of photodynamic therapy in these treatments.

MRSA

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have contracted the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin superbug in each of the last five years; and how many went on to make a full recovery.

Jane Kennedy: Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) producing "Staphylococcus aureus" is a rare infection; which is commonly associated with skin and soft tissue infections. The information requested is not available as not all "Staphylococcus aureus" isolates are tested for the presence of PVL.

MRSA

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to raise awareness of cases of the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin superbug among (a) the public and (b) doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Jane Kennedy: The Health Protection Agency has already published a number of articles for healthcare professionals to raise awareness of these infections and the Chief Medical Officer will be providing further guidance to raise awareness and promote good practice.
	There are no plans for a specific public awareness campaign on Panton Valentine Leukocidin producing "Staphylococcus aureus".

MRSA

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the incidence of MRSA in NHS hospitals.

Jane Kennedy: The mandatory surveillance system for health care associated infection started in April 2001 with the collection of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections data.
	The latest data, for April to September 2004, shows a six per cent. drop on the corresponding period in 2003. More details can be found on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/PublicationsStatistics Article/fs/en?CONTENT ID=4085951&chk=HBt2QD.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is his policy that written parliamentary questions require a response in terms of content no less full than that which would be given in answer to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

John Hutton: Guidance to Departments on answering parliamentary questions is set out in "Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions". This guidance was revised and re-issued in February 2005 to take account of the Freedom of Information Act. Copies are also available in the Library.

Design for Manufacture Sites

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning restrictions apply to the sites so far named as Design for Manufacture sites.

Yvette Cooper: Ten sites have been selected for the Design for Manufacture competition. The sites are:
	Site 6, Oxley Park, Milton Keynes
	Former TA Centre, Oxford Road, Aylesbury
	Site D2, Upton, Northampton
	Area 2, Allerton Bywater, near Leeds
	Former Renny Lodge Hospital, London Road, Newport Pagnell
	Former Park Prewett Hospital, Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke
	Leybourne Grange, Maidstone
	Rowan Lodge School, Merton, London
	School Road, Hastings
	Former Greenhithe TA Centre, Horn's Cross, Dartford
	All the sites are subject to normal planning requirements, and benefit from advanced design specifications. The winners of the competition appointed to become development partners will be expected to abide by local planning requirements, follow design codes and briefs and provide the usual supporting on-site infrastructure.
	Seven of the 10 sites already have outline planning consent, and five sites have design codes and/or development briefs in place. Details of the planning context relating to each individual site can be found on the English Partnerships website http://www. englishpartnerships.co.uk/designformanufacture

Mortgage Possession Orders

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many mortgage possession orders were made in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Data on mortgage possession proceedings for England and Wales are collected by the Department of Constitutional Affairs from HM Courts Service and published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm housing/documents/page/odpm house 604098.xls.
	The figures record how many possession proceedings have been issued, but do not indicate how many properties were actually taken into possession, since many orders will not be enforced. That information is not separately recorded.

Public Sector Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether any (a) vacant and (b) surplus public sector-owned site being reviewed by English Partnerships is (i) in and (ii) in close proximity to a (A) conservation area and (B) site of special scientific interest.

Yvette Cooper: English Partnerships' review of the sites on the register of surplus public sector land will help to confirm whether any are in or close to conservation areas and sites of special scientific interest. The principle source of information for English Partnerships' review will be the local plans covering the areas in which the sites are located.

Sickness Absence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average number of days' sickness absence taken by staff in (a) all local authorities and (b) each local authority was in each year since 1997.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information on local authority sickness absence prior to the introduction of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) from April 2000. Since then, local authorities have reported their performance against BV12 "Working days lost due to sickness absence". The average number of days' sickness absence as reported against BV12 in all authorities and each county and district authority each year since 2000–01 has been made available in the Library of the House.
	This data from 2001–02 are also available on the Best Value Performance Indicator website at www. bvpi.gov.uk.

Social Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were on the housing need list in Coventry, South on the latest date for which figures are available; how many new lettings there were in the constituency in 2004–05; and how many new dwellings are expected to become available for new tenancies within the constituency in 2005–06.

Yvette Cooper: Information is not collected at constituency level, only at local authority level. Summary information for Coventry city council is tabled, which shows
	the number of households on the housing waiting lists at 1 April 2004;
	the number of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) lettings made to new tenants during 2004–05; and
	the number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent covering two years, 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	Coventry city council transferred all council housing owned by them to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in 2000–01. The council now maintains a common waiting list with RSLs in their district. However, information is not held centrally where a RSL maintains a separate waiting list to the local authority.
	The number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent has been provided covering two years as the Housing Corporation now plan the building of new RSL dwellings using a two-year allocation process.
	
		Housing waiting list numbers, new RSL lettings made and new RSL dwellings planned for rent in 2004–05 and 2005–06
		
			  Coventry city council 
		
		
			 Households on the housing waiting list at 1 April 2004 9,650 
			 Number of RSL lettings to new tenants during  2004–05 2,847 
			 Number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent in  2004–05 and 2005–06 1 164 
		
	
	(37) Figure represents allocations for rent schemes, both new build and acquisition and refurbishment over the two years 2004–06 at time of the Housing Corporation's submission to Ministers for approval of their Approved Development Programme (ADP).
	Source:
	ODPM's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return, Housing Corporation's CORE return and the Housing Corporation's ADP records.

Social Housing

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the reasons were for the abolition of the local authority social housing grant.

Yvette Cooper: Local authority social housing grant (LASHG) was an unfair funding mechanism that did not allocate funds to areas of greatest need, consistently underspent nationally, and gave unfair advantage to debt free local authorities. It was abolished on 1 April 2003. Under new arrangements, resources for housing are targeted to areas of greatest need, in line with the measures set out in "Sustainable communities: building for the future".

EU Fraud

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the incidence of fraud in each EU programme has been in each of the last five years; what steps are being taken to guard against such fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government do not hold such information. The most useful information on this subject is available from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Member states are required to report cases of irregularities, including possible fraud, to OLAF. The Commission publishes the resulting figures in its annual "Fight Against Fraud" report. These figures include cases of suspected fraud, but OLAF has not until now published separate figures for fraud. The figures for irregularities for 2003 and the previous four years can be found in the annex to the latest report (COM (2004) 573 final, 30 August 2004), available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/anti fraud/reports/commission/2003/en.pdf
	We expect the report covering 2004 to be published later this year—probably in August—and we understand that this will include an analysis of the extent of fraud.
	The Government takes all instances of fraud or suspected fraud very seriously, and continually presses the Commission and other member states to take effective anti-fraud measures to protect the EU budgets, in line with their treaty obligations. Although the Commission has overall responsibility for EU budget implementation, over 80 per cent. of the budget is managed by member states. They, and not the EC institutions, are responsible for any irregularities or fraud occurring in the part of the budget that they administer.
	The European Commission has carried out reforms during the past few years which are intended to reduce and prevent fraud. The current financial regulation, which governs all transactions entered into by the European institutions, defines accountability, ensures stringent audit requirements and a modernised accounting system, and requires all spending to be subject to objective-setting and evaluation. The new EC staff regulation of May 2004 introduced measures to protect whistleblowers. The Commission evaluated the effectiveness of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) thoroughly in 2003 and the European Court of Auditors' report on OLAF, which will further review OLAF's performance and achievements, will be published shortly.

Hamas

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations the Department made to Hamas at the recent meeting held between his officials and Hamas members on (a) ceasing and (b) ceasing support for violent attacks on Israel; what representations were made to Hamas members themselves; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  on what dates he expects meetings between his officials and Hamas members to take place; in what circumstances such meetings would be held; who he expects will attend from (a) his Department and (b) Hamas; what issues he expects to be on the agenda; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what representations his Department received from Israel on a meeting between his officials and Hamas members; what discussions with Israel the Department held (a) before and (b) after the meeting with Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  on what dates his officials met members of Hamas; which officials were present; which Hamas members were present; what issues were discussed; what decisions were taken; what the outcome of the meetings were; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what his policy is on official meetings of UK Government representatives with Hamas.

Kim Howells: On 7 March a member of staff from the Consulate-General in Jerusalem met the recently-appointed Mayor of Deir al-Balah. On 2 June a member of staff from the Consulate-General in Jerusalem, accompanied by a colleague from the British Embassy, met the Acting Mayor of Qalqilya. In both meetings British officials made clear the Government's demand that Hamas renounce violence and recognise Israel's right to exist. They also discussed the municipality services and budget and the political, economic and humanitarian situation with both Mayors. No decisions were taken at either of these meetings, nor were there specific "outcomes".
	No further meetings with elected members of Hamas are planned. The UK Government will have no contacts with the leadership of Hamas until they have dropped their commitment to the destruction of the state of Israel, and renounced the use of violence.
	Officials have had several exchanges with their Israeli counterparts. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these contacts with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 7 June.

Hamas

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with officials in his Department concerning meetings between his officials and members of Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with (a) Israel and (b) the Palestinian Authority concerning meetings between his officials and members of Hamas; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when, and on how many occasions, since the death of Yasser Arafat, officials from his Department have met members of Hamas.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's decision in February—to authorise working-level contacts in the normal course of business with Hamas elected representatives not directly implicated in violence—drew on advice from officials, including representatives in the region.
	Officials have had several exchanges with their Israeli counterparts. The Foreign Secretary discussed these contacts with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 7 June and Abu Mazen on 8 June.
	British officials have knowingly met members of Hamas on two occasions since the death of President Arafat. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) today (UINs 3116 to 3120) for details of those meetings.
	The deputy consul-general in Jerusalem was placed next to a senior Hamas official at President Abbas' inauguration in January. They exchanged courtesies but had no substantive conversation.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position UK representatives are taking in discussions at the United Nations on the extension of the mandate for troops in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There are currently no discussions taking place in the UN on the extension of the mandate for troops in Iraq. On 31 May 2005 the UN Security Council reviewed resolution 1546 which authorises the presence of the multinational force in Iraq, and agreed upon the continuation of the mandate "until the completion of the political process", in accordance with the resolution and at the request of the Iraqi Government. The UK believes that the presence of the multinational force in Iraq should continue to be at the request of the Iraqi government.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the murder of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emanuel in April;
	(2)  if he will urge the Pakistani Government to take steps to increase protection for religious minorities in Pakistan;
	(3)  what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the attack on the Apostolic Church, Khahamba near Lahore, on 27 March;
	(4)  what reports he has received concerning the effect on the Christian community in Pakistan of the recent attacks by Islamic extremists on Christian worshippers and buildings.

Kim Howells: We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan, including over the experiences of religious minorities. We judge that collective action through the EU is the most effective way of voicing our concerns and we carry out regular EU démarches, as well as bilateral lobbying. The next EU démarche is likely again to encourage the Government of Pakistan to take steps to address the persecution of minorities.
	Although we are aware of these deplorable incidents, we have not made specific representations to the Government of Pakistan concerning the killing of Pastor Shamoun Babar and Daniel Emmanuel, nor on the attack on the Apostolic Church in Khahamba. We have not so far received any reports concerning the effect recent attacks on Christian worshippers and buildings have had on Pakistan's Christian community.

Sudan

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for the United Nations to categorise the situation in Darfur as genocide; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK strongly pressed for the International Commission of Inquiry (ICI) report into the situation in Darfur. The ICI found that serious violations of human rights had taken place in Darfur. and that, while there was no evidence to suggest that the Government of Sudan had pursued a policy of genocide, a "competent court" would have to decide if certain individuals had done so. To this end, we sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court—the first such referral by the Security Council. We continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan and the rebels that those responsible must answer for the crimes committed there.
	We understand that following further investigation of the evidence by the ICC, the Prosecutor has decided that there is sufficient scope within his jurisdiction to mount a formal investigation. He has reached this decision independently, and we will await the outcome of the investigation.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning the arrests of representatives of Médecins Sans Frontiers in Khartoum.

Ian Pearson: The UK national Director of Médecins Sans Frontiers-Holland (MSF-H) and their Nyala co-ordinator were arrested on 30 May in Sudan and charged with spreading false information, causing social unrest, and spying. This followed MSF-H's publication in March of a report on rape in Darfur. The MSF-H representatives are currently released on bail.
	Our embassy had first raised our concerns about hostile media reporting on MSF-H with the Government of Sudan on 29 May. Following the arrests, our Chargé d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and international partners in between. We also joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official also raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have continued to make clear to the Government of Sudan that such harassment of NGOs is wholly unacceptable and must stop. We will remain in close contact with MSF-H and international partners on this case.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made regarding reports of rape and sexual violence against women in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We deplore the ongoing use of rape and sexual violence in Darfur. Such attacks are abhorrent and totally unacceptable. We have made, and continue to make clear to the Government of Sudan that more must be done to provide security for the citizens of Darfur, and that perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice. Tackling rape and gender based violence has been a key point at the regular sub-Joint Implementation Mechanism meetings between the international community and the Government of Sudan, which is chaired by the UN. At the most recent meeting on 29 May, the international community pressed the Government of Sudan on the need to ensure that those completing medical reports of rape were not themselves considered to be carrying out criminal acts, such as falsifying information or not following 'due process' in obtaining a police report first, and on better judicial processing of rape cases.
	The UK has contributed over £66 million towards the Darfur crisis since September 2003, including £500,000 towards the International Rescue Committee's Darfur programme, and £2.1 million towards Médecins Sans Frontières' health programme. These both contain components to tackle such gender-based violence. We are also providing more than £20 million towards the African Union (AU) mission to improve security in Darfur. The AU is increasingly co-ordinating its patrols to provide protection for women when they leave Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Where this is happening the number of reported rapes have decreased significantly, and we are encouraging the AU to increase this practice.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with member states of the African Union regarding the treatment of Médecins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We have not held wider discussions with AU member states, except for Sudan which is directly responsible for this appalling behaviour. Following the arrests, our chargé d'affaires met the Government of Sudan on 30 May and 6 June, and maintained regular contact with MSF-H, the Government of Sudan and international partners in between. We joined the EU and US in making representations to the Government on 1 June. A senior Foreign Office official raised our concerns with the Sudanese ambassador in London on 1 June. We have consistently made clear that such mistreatment is wholly unacceptable and that harassment of NGOs must stop. We continue to engage in dialogue with the African Union on the operating conditions for all humanitarian organisations in Sudan.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Sudan regarding the arrest of Médecins Sans Frontières officials in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), (UIN 2595).

Uzbekistan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the government of Uzbekistan regarding the handling of protests in Eastern Andijan on 13 May 2005;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the government of Uzbekistan regarding respecting human rights.

Douglas Alexander: I am extremely disturbed by the reports of Uzbek troops firing on demonstrators in Andizhan (Andijan). When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary first heard these reports he urged the Uzbek authorities to allow an independent, international investigation.
	We have asked our Ambassador to Tashkent, Mr. David Moran, to convey these messages to senior figures in the Uzbek Government. We also asked Mr. Moran to urge the authorities for unrestricted access to Andizhan for the international community, including organisations like the UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The UK's proactive stance was instrumental in the authorities' decision to organise a visit to the region on 18 May 2005 by diplomats, members of international organisations and the world's media. Although highly orchestrated by the Uzbek authorities, this visit was an important first step towards securing the necessary transparency into the events of 13–14 May 2005 in Andizhan (Andijan).
	Mr. Moran is also working to ensure that the root causes of discontent are addressed through urgent economic and political reform, as he made clear to Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov on 15 May 2005.
	In the aftermath of Andizhan (Andijan), we are concerned by reports of the arrest and harassment of eyewitnesses, independent journalists and human rights activists. Mr. Moran conveyed this point in a meeting between EU ambassadors and Foreign Minister Ganiev on 1 June 2005. On 25 May 2005 our embassy delivered a note to the Uzbek authorities, registering our concern at the arrest of Saidjahon Zainabuddinov, the head of the 'appeal' human rights NGO.
	We will continue to insist, with our partners in the UN, EU, OSCE and NATO, that the Uzbek Government accept an independent investigation. We shall continue to urge the Uzbek Government to respect their wider international commitments to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Saharawi people and their representatives following the mass demonstrations of students in El Ayoun.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of demonstrations in the Western Sahara and continue to monitor the situation. UK officials hold regular discussions with the parties to the Western Sahara dispute. These focus on ensuring that the UN process leads to a fair and lasting solution to this dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.

Western Sahara

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent activities of the Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara and whether there have been human rights abuses; what his policy is on how the UN should respond; what assessment he has made of whether the role of the UN's mission to Western Sahara should change; what steps he has taken in response to the activities of the Moroccan authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of recent clashes between pro-Saharawi demonstrators and the Moroccan authorities in Western Sahara and continue to monitor the situation. The Government believe UN efforts to find a solution to the dispute should be maintained and will continue to seek a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute that provides the people of the Western Sahara with an opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's employees were engaged (a) part-time and (b) full-time on asylum removals in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The number employees engaged on the removal of failed asylum seekers is not disaggregated from the overall number of employees within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and therefore not readily available. Any attempt to calculate the number of employees involved in the removal of failed asylum seekers in each of the last five years would need to take into account a large number of factors and this could be done only at disproportionate cost. However the average number of employees in the UK Immigration Service alone during each of the past four years is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001–02 4,725 
			 2002–03 5,742 
			 2003–04 6,768 
			 2004–05 7,239 
		
	
	There are no figures available for 2000–01.

Children (School Hours Arrests)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many excluded children were arrested during school hours in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many children subject to antisocial behaviour orders had been permanently excluded from school.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally. Information on arrests collected centrally is based on persons arrested for "notifiable" offences by age, sex and ethnicity and does not identify the circumstances of individuals arrested.
	Information on antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) collected and collated by the Home Office for statistical purposes identifies the age and sex of ASBO recipients but does not identify their personal circumstances.

Court Orders

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parenting contracts, (b) parenting orders, (c) acceptable behaviour contracts and (d) antisocial behaviour orders were issued in each local authority area in County Durham in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004.

Hazel Blears: The Youth Justice Board collects the numbers of parenting contracts, parenting orders and other voluntary parenting interventions by youth offending team ("YOT") area rather than local authority area. The Durham YOT area covers County Durham.
	The statutory powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 for YOTs to enter into parenting contracts commenced on 27 February 2004.18 parenting contracts were entered into in the Durham YOT area between 1 April and 31 December 2004. YOTs can intervene with parents on a voluntary basis without a parenting contract. There were 20 such interventions in the area in 2003 and 30 in 2004.
	The number of parenting orders in the Durham YOT area is shown in Table one. These all relate to crime or antisocial behaviour by the child. No parenting orders were made in the area during 2003 and 2004 in respect of offences under the Education Act 1996 or on application by the education authority under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
	The number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts ("ABCs") made in the Wessex area is not known as this information is not collected centrally.
	A recent survey carried out by the Home Office and sent to all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships estimated that 5383 ABCs were made between October 2003 and September 2004.
	The Home Office collects the number of antisocial behaviour orders by local authority area and the latest available information is provided in Table two.
	
		Table 1: Parenting orders in Durham YOT area
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 4 
			 2004 22 
		
	
	
		Table 2: The number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, by all courts and where restrictions are imposed within local authority areas in Durham, by age and by period up to 30 September 2004
		
			  2003 1 January to 30 September 2004 
			 Area Age 10–17 Age 18+ Total all ages Age 10–17 Age 18+ Total all ages 
		
		
			 County Durham 6 6 12 6 10 16 
			 of which:   
			 Chester-le-Street district council — — — — 3 3 
			 Derwentside district council 1 4 5 1 6 7 
			 Durham city council 2 1 3 3 — 3 
			 Easington district council 3 1 4 2 — 2 
			 Sedgefield borough council — — — — 1 1 
			 Teesdale district council — — — — — — 
			 Wear Valley district council — — — — — —

Court Orders

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) parenting contracts, (b) parenting orders, (c) other voluntary parenting interventions, (d) acceptable behaviour contracts and (e) antisocial behaviour orders were issued in (i) each local authority area in Hampshire, (ii) Portsmouth and (iii) Southampton in (A) 2003 and (B) 2004.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 6 June 2005
	The Youth Justice Board collects the numbers of parenting contracts, parenting orders and other voluntary parenting interventions by youth offending team (YOT) area rather than local authority area. Wessex YOT includes Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The number of parenting orders shown in Table 1 also includes orders made in respect of offences under the Education Act 1996 or, since commencement of the powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 on application by the education authority, which are described as "Educational".
	The statutory powers in the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 for YOTs to enter into parenting contracts commenced on 27 February 2004. No such contracts were entered into by YOTs in the Wessex YOT area.
	The number of other voluntary parenting interventions made in the area is shown in table 2.The number of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts ("ABCs") made is not known as this information is not collected centrally.
	A recent survey carried out by the Home Office and sent to all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships estimated that 5,383 ABCs were made between October 2003 and September 2004.
	The Home Office collects the number of antisocial behaviour orders by local authority area and the latest available information is provided in table 3.
	
		Table 1: Parenting orders in Wessex YOT area
		
			  2003 2004 
		
		
			 YOTs 56 99 
			 Educational 11 15 
			 Total 67 114 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Other voluntary parenting interventions by YOT in Wessex area
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 60 
			 2004 177 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, by all courts and where restrictions are imposed within local authority areas, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, by age and by period up to 30 September 2004
		
			  2003 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004 
			  Age 
			 Area 10–17 18+ Not known Total all ages 10–17 18+ Total all ages 
		
		
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 15 11 3 29 25 22 47 
			 Of which:
			 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council — — — — 1 3 4 
			 Fareham Borough Council — — — — 1 — 1 
			 Gosport Borough Council — — — — 1 1 2 
			 Havant Borough Council 5 1 — 6 2 2 4 
			 Isle of Wight Council 1 — 3 4 3 1 4 
			 New Forest District Council 1 — — 1 — — — 
			 Portsmouth City Council 2 10 — 12 8 9 17 
			 Rushmoor Borough Council 1 — — 1 — 1 1 
			 Southampton Council 5 — — 5 6 4 10 
			 Test Valley Borough Council — — — — 3 — 3 
			 Winchester City Council — — — — — 1 1

Drunk and Disorderly Convictions

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions were made for the offence of being drunk and disorderly in England and Wales in each year between 1984 and 2004.

Hazel Blears: The number of offenders convicted of being drunk and disorderly in England and Wales 1984 to 2003 is contained in the table.
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number of offenders found guilty of the offence of being drunk and disorderly—England and Wales 1984 to 2003 1
		
			 Offence: Being guilty while drunk of disorderly behaviour Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1967 S.91 Found guilty 
		
		
			 1984 39,965 
			 1985 37,785 
			 1986 31,135 
			 1987 35,557 
			 1988 38,514 
			 1989 36,874 
			 1990 32,276 
			 1991 24,970 
			 1992 20,290 
			 1993 16,170 
			 1994 17,102 
			 1995 16,922 
			 1996 21,218 
			 1997 24,940 
			 1998 26,391 
			 1999 24,872 
			 2000 23,899 
			 2001 23,252 
			 2002 24,136 
			 2003 25,165 
		
	
	(39) These data are on the principal offence basis.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the powers of the National Identity Cards Scheme Commissioner.

Tony McNulty: The National Identity Scheme Commissioner's powers are set out in clause 24 of the Identity Cards Bill. The Commissioner will be responsible for overseeing the operation of the Act and any subordinate legislation. The Commissioner will also oversee the arrangements put in place for the purposes of fulfilling functions granted to the Secretary of State or designated documents authorities under the Act and the arrangements made by those people authorised to receive information from the register (for example how the information is used, what it is used for, how is it recorded), except in the cases which would fall within the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Services Commissioner as set out in clause 26. The Commissioner will also be able to oversee the uses to which identity cards are being put.
	The Commissioner will report to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year about the carrying out of the Commissioner's functions. The Commissioner may also at any other time make such report to the Secretary of State as he thinks fit. The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a copy of every report made to him by the Commissioner. This is set out in clause 25 of the Identity Cards Bill.
	There is nothing in the Bill to constrain the National Identity Scheme Commissioner from working with any other Commissioner (for example the Information Commissioner or the Commission for Racial Equality) in order to oversee the National Identity Cards Scheme.

Metropolitan Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding per head of population the Metropolitan Police Service received in each year since 1995 from (a) central funds and (b) precept; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	Government funding for police authorities is chiefly allocated using a funding formula that distributes resources on the basis of relative policing need. The formula is currently being reviewed to ensure it remains up to date. Funding is not, and never has been, distributed on a per capita basis.
	
		
			   £ 
			  Government grant funding(40) per head of population(41) Precept 3 per head of population(41) 
		
		
			 1995–96 209.48 20.72 
			 1996–97 209.63 21.46 
			 1997–98 211.79 24.26 
			 1998–99 212.42 29.38 
			 1999–2000 213.96 31.69 
			 2000–01 227.70 34.56 
			 2001–02 243.70 44.59 
			 2002–03 261.46 49.04 
			 2003–04 282.32 61.80 
			 2004–05 286.29 70.95 
			 2005–06(43) 300.33 75.95 
		
	
	(40) Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant, National Non Domestic Rates and SSA Reduction Grant). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, community support officer funding (including, for 2004–05 and 2005–06, round one of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund), Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Counter Terrorism funding, Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments and capital grants.
	The Home Office also funds free travel for MPS officers and 75 per cent. of the cost of the London allowance for all qualifying officers. .These figures are not included within the totals.
	(41) Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.
	(42) Source for precept information: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	(43) Estimates for 2005–06.

Motoring Offences (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted for motoring offences in each of the last five years in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough.

Paul Goggins: The available information is contained in the table and gives the number of offenders found guilty for motoring offences by magistrates courts/London borough, 1999 to 2003. Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.
	
		Number(44) of offenders found guilty of motoring offences(45) by police force area and magistrates courts/London borough 1999 to 2003
		
			 Magistrates courts/borough 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Inner London magistrates courts 
			 City of London Police  
			 Guildhall Justice Rooms 4,154 6,738 7,318 5,258 4,944 
			   
			 Metropolitan police  
			 Bow Street 1,136 743 641 759 953 
			 Camberwell Green/Tower Bridge 4,416 3,214 3,322 3,438 4,003 
			 Greenwich and Woolwich 4,137 3,148 3,487 4,698 5,152 
			 Highbury Corner 2,712 1,841 1,812 1,917 2,364 
			 Horseferry Road 1,891 1,506 1,389 1,775 1,710 
			 Marylebone 5,259 4,312 5,877 7,302 6,127 
			 South Western 1,994 2,434 3,196 3,222 3,536 
			 Thames 3,185 2,542 2,015 2,233 2,902 
			 West London 1,737 1,789 1,881 1,898 2,004 
			 Inner London Juvenile Courts(46) 1 2 n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 Outer London boroughs  
			 Metropolitan police  
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,176 1,342 1,645 1,423 1,699 
			 Barnet 3,077 3,488 2,900 2,897 3,086 
			 Bexley 915 962 893 1,077 961 
			 Brent 2,988 2,648 2,430 2,315 3,766 
			 Bromley 1,392 1,260 1,192 1,546 1,387 
			 Croydon 2,333 2,353 2,153 1,705 1,658 
			 Ealing 2,421 1,921 1,548 2,202 2,296 
			 Enfield 1,804 1,725 1,742 1,727 1,632 
			 Haringey 1,851 1,629 1,899 2,510 3,170 
			 Harrow 1,368 1,124 1,003 1,156 1,102 
			 Havering 1,145 1,087 1,045 1,167 1,446 
			 Hillingdon 2,128 2,314 2,135 2,753 2,683 
			 Hounslow 2,111 2,037 2,069 1,454 507 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 1,031 1,335 1,595 1,465 957 
			 Merton 1,149 1,419 1,378 1,312 1,674 
			 Newham 2,059 1,835 1,771 1,704 1,924 
			 Redbridge 1,402 1,580 1,397 1,429 1,581 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,058 1,015 1,022 1,066 1,138 
			 Sutton 770 866 916 909 964 
			 Waltham Forest 1,473 1,256 1,440 1,177 1,087 
			   
			 Total Metropolitan police 60,119 54,727 55,793 60,236 63,469 
			 Total Greater London 64,273 61,465 63,111 65,494 68,413 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable.
	(44) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(45) Includes indictable and summary motoring offences.
	(46) Cases included with adult courts from 2001.

Sure Start

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many second phase Sure Start's children's centres are planned in each local authority during 2006–08; and how much funding will be provided to each local authority for this purpose.

Beverley Hughes: A total of £947 million funding has been made available to local authorities in the second phase of the children's centres programme. This comprise of £405,523,772 capital and £542,205,843 revenue. The capital allocation is to contribute to the funding of new children's centre places to be created in phase two, whereas the revenue allocation is to fund both new and existing centres created in phases 1 and 2. Local authorities will develop their children's centres by building on existing provision such as Sure Start local programmes, neighbourhood nurseries and primary schools which have already benefited from a number of funding streams. The following table sets out the funding allocated to each local authority.
	
		
			 Local authority Total number of CCs required in 2006–08 1 Total capital 2006–08, including 20 per cent. London uplift 2 Total revenue 2006–08 including 10 per cent. London uplift 2 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 6 2,388,828 5,105,821 
			 Barnet 15 3,821,802 3,082,925 
			 Barnsley 5 1,001,920 3,463,680 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 6 964,830 827,201 
			 Bedfordshire 18 2,972,555 3,267,137 
			 Bexley 8 1,568,238 2,286,878 
			 Birmingham 43 15,307,670 25,718,111 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 5 1,198,810 2,283,734 
			 Blackpool 3 750,825 2,325,298 
			 Bolton 10 3,007,975 4,041,326 
			 Bournemouth 5 1,117,310 1,896,905 
			 Bracknell Forest 6 1,028,445 836,341 
			 Bradford 15 3,839,200 10,620,192 
			 Brent 9 2,049,714 3,842,938 
			 Brighton and Hove 9 2,267,380 2,801,391 
			 Bristol 14 3,629,485 5,366,977 
			 Bromley 13 2,712,486 2,913,960 
			 Buckinghamshire 22 3,628,945 3,252,676 
			 Bury 8 2,034,685 2,531,485 
			 Calderdale 9 2,347,325 2,231,737 
			 Cambridgeshire 22 3,488,440 3,532,242 
			 Camden 9 3,478,662 2,347,693 
			 Cheshire 27 5,009,345 4,751,908 
			 City of London(49) — — — 
			 Cornwall 16 3,022,960 2,532,384 
			 County of Herefordshire 6 940,360 1,027,314 
			 Coventry 9 2,077,055 4,506,056 
			 Croydon 17 5,344,500 4,451,078 
			 Cumbria 16 2,991,755 3,655,529 
			 Darlington 2 444,090 1,002,794 
			 Derby 8 2,169,735 2,746,118 
			 Derbyshire 29 5,890,135 6,594,458 
			 Devon 24 4,283,720 3,507,294 
			 Doncaster 8 1,966,305 4.569,916 
			 Dorset 13 2,077,090 2,129,300 
			 Dudley 11 2,544,485 3,806,311 
			 Durham 12 2,690,605 4,109,869 
			 Ealing 12 3,585,480 4,859,418 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 10 1,436,025 2,295,874 
			 East Sussex 18 3,575,715 2,879,147 
			 Enfield 11 2,858,190 4,996,785 
			 Essex 53 9,001,295 10,873,952 
			 Gateshead 5 1,403,115 2,562,509 
			 Gloucestershire 23 3,826,990 3,756,377 
			 Greenwich 7 2,331,942 4,901,299 
			 Hackney 8 4,271,454 6,552,491 
			 Halton 3 477,295 809,168 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 7 2,499,168 1,656,494 
			 Hampshire 53 9,515,160 7,958,958 
			 Haringey 8 3.366,132 4,725,163 
			 Harrow 9 1,012,830 1,818,542 
			 Hartlepool 2 718,190 1,110,245 
			 Havering 8 1,283,682 1,988,912 
			 Hertfordshire 49 9,371,350 7,761,791 
			 Hillingdon 12 3,297,744 2,366,595 
			 Hounslow 11 3,647,964 3,472,361 
			 Isle of Wight 3 409,150 1,379,321 
			 Isles of Stilly — — — 
			 Islington 5 2,566,722 3,613,793 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6 1,301,292 1,378,808 
			 Kent 52 9,134,060 10,648,341 
			 Kingston upon Hull 7 2,273,440 2,599,548 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 7 829,920 1,190,239 
			 Kirklees 15 3,778,855 6,714,086 
			 Knowsley 3 681,925 2,410,783 
			 Lambeth 10 4,146,438 6,336,245 
			 Lancashire 40 8,130,990 10,283,537 
			 Leeds 26 7,308,535 8,385,926 
			 Leicester City 8 2,169,125 6,572,971 
			 Leicestershire 24 4,104,055 3,777,122 
			 Lewisham 9 3,044,958 5,902,008 
			 Lincolnshire 23 4,192,565 3,423,583 
			 Liverpool 8 2,907,975 9,025,886 
			 Luton 8 2,151,485 3,787,873 
			 Manchester 10 3,946,160 9,419,364 
			 Medway 10 1,898,615 2,542,766 
			 Merton 8 1,793,226 1,893,882 
			 Middlesbrough 4 1,096,435 1,181,447 
			 Milton Keynes 10 1,737,145 2,174,242 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 6 1,448,890 2,345,930 
			 Newham 8 4,157,658 9,083,995 
			 Norfolk 26 3,903,885 3,967,069 
			 North East Lincolnshire 6 1,844,420 1,386,399 
			 North Lincolnshire 4 806,955 1,210,277 
			 North Somerset 7 999,235 1,219,607 
			 North Tyneside 6 1,403,335 2,059,718 
			 North Yorkshire 21 3,261,090 3,211,280 
			 Northamptonshire 27 4,996,990 5,213,489 
			 Northumberland 10 2,046,550 1,628,435 
			 Nottingham City 7 2,476,120 4,527,426 
			 Nottinghamshire 26 5,093,215 6,146,864 
			 Oldham 8 2,189,620 4,071,087 
			 Oxfordshire 25 4,314,465 4,480,780 
			 Peterborough 6 1,458,780 1,790,517 
			 Plymouth 7 1,667,945 2.512,798 
			 Poole 6 1,218,555 961,301 
			 Portsmouth 7 1,798,495 1,797,128 
			 Reading 6 1,139,670 1,591,823 
			 Redbridge 10 1,941,708 2,842,516 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 4 614,895 979,244 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 9 1,141,560 1,485,168 
			 Rochdale 8 2,372,525 2,670,073 
			 Rotherham 8 1,836,645 4,173,631 
			 Rutland 1 218,225 180,784 
			 Salford 6 1,550,040 3,646,710 
			 Sandwell 7 2,382,750 6,173,249 
			 Sefton 9 1,817,725 2,436,913 
			 Sheffield 18 4,749,895 5,932,118 
			 Shropshire 10 1,833,355 1,506,545 
			 Slough 5 922,740 1,862,463 
			 Solihull 7 1,362,130 1,971,992 
			 Somerset 19 3,087,485 2,897,077 
			 South Tyneside 3 751,005 1,982,293 
			 Southampton 8 1,887,540 2,380,347 
			 Southend 7 1,587,465 1,933,426 
			 Southward 9 3,555,360 5,319,798 
			 St. Helens 4 971,460 2,311,935 
			 Staffordshire 32 5,760,275 5,065,655 
			 South Gloucestershire 11 2,139,975 1,717,490 
			 Stockport 12 2,637,190 3,134,651 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 6 1,250,715 979,949 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 5 1,333,265 3,343,144 
			 Suffolk 26 4,279,960 4,564,098 
			 Sunderland 6 1,572,125 3,704,269 
			 Surrey 46 8,113,945 6,862,882 
			 Sutton 8 1,585,572 1,648,579 
			 Swindon 7 1,074,825 1,819,870 
			 Tameside 6 1,657,750 3,336.263 
			 Telford and Wrekin 7 1,346,770 2,178,740 
			 Thurrock 5 786,815 2,162,756 
			 Torbay 3 367,850 1,128,890 
			 Tower Hamlets 6 3,090,984 5,573,446 
			 Trafford 8 1,638,910 2,620,577 
			 West Berkshire 6 1,164,685 945,625 
			 Wakefield 8 1,908,270 5,207,885 
			 Walsall 8 2,494,510 4,575,941 
			 Waltham Forest 8 2,913,036 5,400,914 
			 Wandsworth 13 3,734,946 2,656,529 
			 Warrington 7 1,466,965 2,017,555 
			 Warwickshire 20 3,244,685 3,475,765 
			 West Sussex 30 5,478,575 4,563,728 
			 Westminster 7 2,525,826 1,735,024 
			 Wigan 9 2,350,235 5,882,837 
			 Wiltshire 20 3,764,660 3,035,235 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 6 1,090,780 885,129 
			 Wirral 9 2,055,330 4,700,360 
			 Wokingham 7 1,082,650 901,730 
			 Wolverhampton 6 1,598,730 3,678,806 
			 Worcestershire 23 4,372,670 3,523,769 
			 York 8 1,689,450 1,330,718 
			 Total 1,823 405,523,772 542,205,843 
		
	
	(47) These are subject to negotiation if authorities with large targets wish to defer some centres to phase 3;
	(48) Excluding rural uplift. Authorities with rural areas will be advised of their allocations shortly;
	(49) Allocations yet to be agreed—due to the small number of children in those authorities we are working with the authorities to determine suitable targets and funding.

Electoral Administration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's plans to (a) introduce clearer rules for candidates and political parties and (b) reduce bureaucracy for smaller parties and independent candidates.

Harriet Harman: The Government's response to The Electoral Commission's report "Voting for change—An electoral law modernisation programme", published in December 2004 sets out how we propose to take forward the Commission's proposals relating to candidates and political parties. The necessary legislative provisions will be included in the Electoral Administration Bill which was announced in the Queen's Speech on 17 May.

CAFCASS

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reform the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Maria Eagle: We are continuing to develop CAFCASS's role as a key contributor to the Government's work to improve the support available to children and families. In particular, the Green Paper "Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities", published in July 2004, and the subsequent "Next Steps" document, published in January 2005, set out a major change of approach for CAFCASS practitioners working with families, by moving their work away from report writing to a more active, problem-solving role in facilitating agreement between parents over contact and residence arrangements in the best interests of their children. The Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill will underpin this new role, by giving CAFCASS a clear part to play in facilitating contact and monitoring contact orders.
	This shift in the nature of CAFCASS's work closely reflects the view of the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, in its March 2005 report on Family Justice, which recommended an emphasis on 'overcoming problems' in CAFCASS interventions.
	In addition, CAFCASS is currently undergoing internal restructuring in order further to renew and strengthen its operational front-line focus for all aspects of its work with children and families.

CAFCASS

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases remain to be allocated to a case worker in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS); and what the average length of time is for allocation of new cases to a case worker, broken down by CAFCASS region in England.

Maria Eagle: The total number of CAFCASS unallocated Public Law Children Act 1989 cases (applications for local authority care and supervision orders and applications for adoption) at 31 March 2005 is 316, representing 2.7 per cent. of the caseload. This meets CAFCASS' key performance indicator target that the number of cases unallocated for the month should be no more than the target of 3 per cent. of the workload.
	A regional break-down of Public Law cases is provided in the following table which shows the number of unallocated cases by region.
	
		CAFCASS—Public Law unallocated cases at 31 March 2005
		
			 Region  
		
		
			 East Midlands 2 
			 Eastern 15 
			 Greater London 90 
			 North East 20 
			 North West 35 
			 South East 41 
			 South West 22 
			 Wales 2 
			 West Midlands 35 
			 Yorks and Humberside 54 
			 Total 316 
		
	
	In Public Law, CAFCASS' key performance indicator states that at least 98 per cent. of all public allocations each month for all case types should be within 28 days of receipt of request. In 2004/05 CAFCASS allocated 92.7 per cent. of it cases within 28 days.
	The total number of CAFCASS Private Law reports (as a consequence of applications for parental responsibility, residence and contact, where parents have been unable to reach agreement on these matters) unallocated less than 10 weeks before filing date as at 31 March 2005 is 168, representing 2 per cent. of the total caseload. In addition CAFCASS hold "managed unallocated" cases where the court has agreed a filing time later than the standard 10 to12 weeks.
	CAFCASS does not collect information on the length of time taken to allocate new Private Law cases to case workers by region. CAFCASS' key performance indicator states that the number of private law reports unallocated less than 10 weeks before the court filing date for the month should be no more than 4 per cent. of the total workload.
	A regional break-down for Private Law work unallocated less than 10 weeks before filing date is provided in the following table.
	
		CAFCASS—Private Law unallocated cases at 31 March 2005
		
			   Region Number of unallocated reports less than 10 weeks before court filing date 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 
			 Eastern 0 
			 Greater London 3 
			 North East 15 
			 North West 21 
			 South East 12 
			 South West 77 
			 Wales 1 
			 West Midlands 13 
			 Yorks and Humberside 26 
			 Total 168

CAFCASS

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact on families who are affected by delays at the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Maria Eagle: The impact of delay on the welfare of children and their families is a concern for all of the agencies involved in family proceedings and we are concentrating on addressing the causes of delay. It is also a top priority for CAFCASS and, together with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, we are working closely with CAFCASS, the judiciary, local authority social services and others in order to reduce delays in Public Law Children Act 1989 cases (cases that involve social services—mainly care proceedings and adoptions).
	CAFCASS itself is making progress in this area. For example, for the CAFCASS Key Performance Indicator Target for 98 per cent. of public law work to be allocated within 28 days, 93.5 per cent. was achieved in March 2005, compared with 90.6 per cent. in March 2004.
	Progress is also being made in Private Law work (mainly disputes between separating parents over contact and residence arrangements for their children). CAFCASS has a Private Law Key Performance Indicator Target, where the number of reports unallocated less than 10 weeks before court filing date for the month should be no more than the target of 4 per cent. of the workload. In March 2005 2.0 per cent. of cases were unallocated, compared with 3.2. per cent. in March 2004. There is an expectation that private law reports are completed within 10 to 12 weeks of the date of request being made to CAFCASS. CAFCASS also have "managed unallocated" cases where the court has agreed a filing time later than the standard 10 to 12 weeks. In March 2005 10.8 per cent. of cases were "managed unallocated", compared with 15.5 per cent. in March 2004. The CAFCASS waiting list is continuously reviewed and re-prioritised.
	A change in the role of CAFCASS practitioners will also contribute to reducing court delay in Private Law cases. The Green Paper "Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities", published in July 2004, and the subsequent "Next Steps" document, published in January 2005, set out a major change of approach for CAFCASS practitioners working with families, by moving their work away from report writing to a more active, problem-solving role in facilitating agreement between parents over contact and residence arrangements in the best interests of their children.

Departmental IT contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by her Department and its predecessors in the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The information in the following table relates to our more recent or current contracts which have been put in place, however, information relating to the last five years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			   £ 
			 IT contract Business case Cost of contract 
		
		
			 Records Management Service 3.8 million 2.2 million 
			 IP—WAN 1.5 million 993,360 
			 Power over Ethernet 550,600 642,957 
			 Electronic Document and Records  Management—Pilot 1.2 million 1.3 million 
			 Caxton House Network Backbone Upgrade 500,000 319,253 
			 Moorfoot Network Backbone Upgrade 400,000 268,664 
			 Integrated HR/Payroll System 850,000 666,000 
			 Integrated Financial Information System 1.6 million 1.7 million 
			 Dual Data Centre 2.2 million 1.7 million 
			 Remote Office 254,000 198,000 
			 Video Conference Upgrade 492,000 492,000 
			 Correspondence Handling System 852,000 850,000 
			 Video/telecom support 450,000 420,000 
			 Video Conference Maintenance 400,000 400,000 
			 Telephony Services 10.8 million 10.8 million 
			 Hard/Software Network Support 375,000 300,000 
			 Web Hosting 5 million 3.64 million 
			 Telephones Moves and Changes 500,000 450,000

Inner-London Education

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much each inner London local education authority has received under each Government initiative aimed at raising secondary school standards in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The following tables show how much each inner London local education received under each Government initiative aimed at raising standards in secondary schools since 1997–98 The tables also give comparable figures for Southampton local education authority since 1997–98.
	
		Grant for Inner London and Southampton local education authorities under initiatives to raise secondary schools standards since 1997–98  £
		
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 City of London — — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — — 128,500 
			 Greenwich — — — — — 138,100 
			 Hackney — — — — — 47,500 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — — 0 
			 Islington — — — — — 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — — 0 
			 Lambeth — — — — — 0 
			 Lewisham — — — — — 0 
			 Southwark — — — — — 77,700 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — — 66,400 
			 Wandsworth — — — — — 50,100 
			 Westminster — — — — — 0 
			
			 Southampton — — — — — 0 
			
			 1998–99   
			 City of London — — — — 0 0 
			 Camden — — — — 0 215,000 
			 Greenwich — — — — 0 230,200 
			 Hackney — — — — 25,000 129,160 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 0 0 
			 Islington — — — — 0 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 0 0 
			 Lambeth — — — — 0 48,420 
			 Lewisham — — — — 0 0 
			 Southwark — — — — 0 81,900 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 0 127,480 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 0 84,800 
			 Westminster — — — — 0 45,120 
			
			 Southampton — — — — 0 0 
			
			 1999–2000   
			 City of London 0 5,005 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 42,000 504,530 — — 40,000 310,322 
			 Greenwich 80,500 757,839 — — 50,000 302,063 
			 Hackney 19,000 530,071 — — 50,000 398,583 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 14,000 339,756 — — 34,900 0 
			 Islington 66,505 507,719 — — 14,000 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 22,925 205,928 — — 12,500 0 
			 Lambeth 59,000 467,436 — — 12,000 159,824 
			 Lewisham 59,000 728,041 — — 21,000 0 
			 Southwark 72,250 730.384 — — 34,000 33,920 
			 Tower Hamlets 59,345 997,653 — — 21,000 190,960 
			 Wandsworth 15,000 51,857 — — 31,000 379,400 
			 Westminster 24,000 443,713 — — 0 85,904 
			
			 Southampton 16,000 0 — — 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			   £ 
			 Local education authority Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 City of London — 0 — — — — 
			 Camden — 52,560 — — — — 
			 Greenwich — 76,200 — — — — 
			 Hackney — 20,280 — — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 38,460 — — — — 
			 Islington — 31,200 — — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 21,480 — — — — 
			 Lambeth — 21,240 — — — — 
			 Lewisham — 53,580 — — — — 
			 Southwark — 29,280 — — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 39,120 — — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 27,840 — — — — 
			 Westminster — 49,680 — — — — 
			
			 Southampton — 3,720 — — — — 
			
			 1998–99   
			 City of London — 0 0 — — — 
			 Camden — 46,588 23,095 — — — 
			 Greenwich — 94,457 24,875 — — — 
			 Hackney — 19,155 15,000 — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 40,723 0 — — — 
			 Islington — 53,889 0 — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 23,351 0 — — — 
			 Lambeth — 36,684 45,721 — — — 
			 Lewisham — 69,430 0 — — — 
			 Southwark — 33,704 50,000 — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 34,899 24,875 — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 31,214 24,750 — — — 
			 Westminster — 50,567 24,800 — — — 
			
			 Southampton  17,831 0 — — — 
			
			 1999–2000   
			 City of London — 0 0 — — — 
			 Camden — 51,591 17,322 — — — 
			 Greenwich — 49,225 18,717 — — — 
			 Hackney — 15,232 15,507 — — — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 36,898 18,404 — — — 
			 Islington — 22,246 18,750 — — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 9,380 0 — — — 
			 Lambeth — 23,989 52,126 — — — 
			 Lewisham — 53,873 18,750 — — — 
			 Southwark — 13,447 18,750 — — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 33,411 18,750 — — — 
			 Wandsworth — 31,045 18,750 — — — 
			 Westminster — 34,573 18,750 — — — 
			
			 Southampton — 8,176 18,750 — — — 
		
	
	
		
			  £ 
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 1997–98  
			 City of London — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — 181,060 
			 Greenwich — — — — 214,300 
			 Hackney — — — — 67,780 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 38,460 
			 Islington — — — — 31,200 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 21,480 
			 Lambeth — — — — 21,240 
			 Lewisham — — — — 53,580 
			 Southwark — — — — 106,980 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 105,520 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 77,940 
			 Westminster — — — — 49,680 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 3,720 
			   
			 1998–99  
			 City of London — — — — 0 
			 Camden — — — — 284,683 
			 Greenwich — — — — 349,532 
			 Hackney — — — — 188,315 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 40,723 
			 Islington — — — — 53,889 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 23,351 
			 Lambeth — — — — 130,825 
			 Lewisham — — — — 69,430 
			 Southwark — — — — 165,604 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 187,254 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 140,764 
			 Westminster — — — — 120,487 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 17,831 
			   
			 1999–2000  
			 City of London — — — — 5,005 
			 Camden — — — — 965,765 
			 Greenwich — — — — 1,258,344 
			 Hackney — — — — 1,028,393 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — — — 443,958 
			 Islington — — — — 629,220 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — — — 250,733 
			 Lambeth — — — — 774,375 
			 Lewisham — — — — 880,664 
			 Southwark — — — — 902,751 
			 Tower Hamlets — — — — 1,321,119 
			 Wandsworth — — — — 1,027,052 
			 Westminster — — — — 606,940 
			   
			 Southampton — — — — 42,926 
		
	
	
		
			   £ 
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 2000–01   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 71,416 1,101,700 — — 144,000 441,318 
			 Greenwich 755,010 1,670,753 — — 129,000 435,954 
			 Hackney 48,779 1,132,700 — — 75,000 391,870 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 15,142 733,450 — — 73,000 74,000 
			 Islington 103,779 1,097,600 — — 42,000 123,136 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 23,912 418,200 — — 37,500 0 
			 Lambeth 93,735 1,050,700 — — 36,000 244,402 
			 Lewisham 66,235 1,665,600 — — 57,000 0 
			 Southwark 77,872 1,582,600 — — 72,000 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 816,828 2,232,075 — — 31,000 274,592 
			 Wandsworth 38,735 1,237,350 — — 85,000 500,250 
			 Westminster 41,686 951,800 — — 54,000 96,538 
			
			 Southampton 28,373 0 — — 0 0 
			
			 2001–02   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 207,977 1,101,700 — — 180,000 489,663 
			 Greenwich 721,235 1,673,879 — — 129,000 535,242 
			 Hackney 196,110 1,132,700 — — 77,000 483,590 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 188,302 720,700 — — 73,000 123,000 
			 Islington 238,510 1,115,225 — — 42,000 204,549 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 142,414 418,200 — — 37,500 0 
			 Lambeth 210,457 1,013,200 — — 36,000 294,954 
			 Lewisham 237,037 1,720,600 — — 70,000 0 
			 Southwark 248,051 1,582.600 — — 110,000 136,456 
			 Tower Hamlets 778,495 2,207,800 — — 31,000 413,138 
			 Wandsworth 199,830 1,278,600 — — 96,000 591,207 
			 Westminster 184,582 951,800 — — 81,000 169,816 
			
			 Southampton 243,604 0 — —- 0 0 
			
			 2002–03   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 385,696 1,242,227 — — 197,000 495,567 
			 Greenwich 547,210 1,794,851 — — 143,000 626,331 
			 Hackney 372,899 1,209,179 — — 78,000 595,641 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 356,098 781,588 — — 76,000 123,000 
			 Islington 370,299 1,200,702 — — 44,000 205,164 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 293,438 473,008 — — 63,500 42,624 
			 Lambeth 393,704 1,094,666 — — 63,000 299,874 
			 Lewisham 420,084 1,745,369 — — 78,000 100,000 
			 Southwark 428,092 1,796,620 — — 155,200 348,524 
			 Tower Hamlets 472,103 2,373,601 — — 36,000 493,192 
			 Wandsworth 384,911 1,318,483 — — 98,000 610,769 
			 Westminster 346,686 1,018,127 — — 81,000 295,646 
			
			 Southampton 432,881 0 — — 0 74,000 
		
	
	
		
			   £ 
			 Local education authority Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 City of London — 0 — — — 0 
			 Camden — 48,273 — — — 0 
			 Greenwich — 48,799 — — — 0 
			 Hackney — 16,638 — — — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 36,893 — — — 0 
			 Islington — 22,884 — — — 275,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 11,442 — — — 0 
			 Lambeth — 23,410 — — — 0 
			 Lewisham — 50,376 — — — 52,029 
			 Southwark — 13,545 — — — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets — 36,893 — — — 0 
			 Wandsworth — 32,687 — — — 0 
			 Westminster — 36,893 — — — 0 
			
			 Southampton — 8,876 — — — 0 
			 2001–02   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 0 4,948 — — 236,588 0 
			 Greenwich 0 6,927 — — 408,755 0 
			 Hackney 100,000 4,453 — — 476,620 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 3,958 — — 292,183 0 
			 Islington 0 4,453 — — 474,414 255,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 1,979 — — 84,496 0 
			 Lambeth 0 4,948 — — 412,145 0 
			 Lewisham 0 6,432 — — 494,542 275,000 
			 Southwark 100,000 5,937 — — 781,612 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 7,422 — — 1,361,672 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 4,453 — — 188,581 0 
			 Westminster 100,000 3,958 — — 232,713 0 
			
			 Southampton 0 6,927 — — 0 0 
			 2002–03   
			 City of London 0 0 — — 0 0 
			 Camden 0 4,426 — — 318,170 0 
			 Greenwich 0 6,197 — — 549,705 0 
			 Hackney 0 3,984 — — 640,972 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 3,541 — — 392,936 0 
			 Islington 0 3,984 — — 638,005 485,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 1,771 — — 113,632 0 
			 Lambeth 0 4,426 — — 554,264 0 
			 Lewisham 0 5,754 — — 597,112 0 
			 Southwark 100,000 5,754 — — 1,051,134 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 6,639 — — 1,831,215 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 3,984 — — 253,610 0 
			 Westminster 0 3,541 — — 312,959 0 
			
			 Southampton 100,000 6,197 — — 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  £ 
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 2000–01  
			 City of London 0 — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 0 — 11,002 — 1,817,709 
			 Greenwich 0 — 0 — 3,039,516 
			 Hackney 0 — 8,220 — 1,673,207 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — 11,220 — 943,705 
			 Islington 0 — 2,702 — 1,667,101 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — 13,650 — 504,704 
			 Lambeth 0 — 2,500 — 1,450,747 
			 Lewisham 65,000 — 19,504 — 1,975,744 
			 Southwark 0 — 0 — 1,746,017 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — 7,500 — 3,398,888 
			 Wandsworth 0 — 0 — 1,894,022 
			 Westminster 0 — 0 — 1,180,917 
			   
			 Southampton 0 — 44,117 — 81,366 
			 2001–02  
			 City of London 0 — 0 0 0 
			 Camden 0 — 26,022 46,000 2,292,898 
			 Greenwich 0 — 0 21,000 3,496,038 
			 Hackney 0 — 0 17,500 2,487,973 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — 0 177,000 1,578,143 
			 Islington 700,000 — 8,862 58,000 3,101,013 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — 0 0 684,589 
			 Lambeth 0 — 0 16,500 1,988,204 
			 Lewisham 20,000 — 0 28,000 2,851,611 
			 Southwark 0 — 0 92,500 3,057,156 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — 7,079 87,000 4,993,606 
			 Wandsworth 0 — 37,500 14,000 2,410,171 
			 Westminster 0 — 0 16,500 1,740,369 
			   
			 Southampton 0 — 0 14,000 264,531 
			 2002–03  
			 City of London — — 32,038 0 32,038 
			 Camden — — 160,191 140,250 2,943,527 
			 Greenwich — — 446,743 273,942 4,387,979 
			 Hackney — — 309,702 194,692 3,405,069 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — 245,626 277,000 2,255,789 
			 Islington — — 138,832 229.620 3,315,606 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — 138,832 2,000 1,128,805 
			 Lambeth — — 96,115 176,500 2,682,549 
			 Lewisham — — 299.023 502,000 3,747,342 
			 Southwark — — 256,306 460,750 4,602,380 
			 Tower Hamlets — — 465,855 325,371 6,103,976 
			 Wandsworth — — 245,626 137.500 3,052,883 
			 Westminster — — 128,153 131,800 2,317,912 
			   
			 Southampton —  170,870 314,000 1,097,948 
		
	
	
		
			   £ 
			 Local education authority Key Stage 3 National Strategy Excellence in Cities Leadership Incentive Grant Leading Edge Beacon Schools Specialist Schools 
		
		
			 2003–04   
			 City of London 500 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 473,883 1,878,129 1,125,000 46,000 135,500 617,140 
			 Greenwich 629,339 3,161,448 1,750,000 0 152,000 751,597 
			 Hackney 519,081 2,055,922 1,125,000 0 78,000 747,352 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 473,735 1,314,399 1,000,000 0 78,000 196,835 
			 Islington 528,563 2,381,203 1,125,000 0 45,000 297,181 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 393,485 889,300 500,000 0 76,500 155,064 
			 Lambeth 502,234 1,759,780 1,250,000 0 76,500 432,618 
			 Lewisham 582,394 3,556,588 1,500,000 0 83,500 211,014 
			 Southward 609,676 2,752,892 1,625,000 49,000 92,000 496,768 
			 Tower Hamlets 667,689 3,650,228 2,000,000 130,000 0 692,818 
			 Wandsworth 521,481 1,841,970 1,125,000 0 101,000 767,530 
			 Westminster 460,687 1,065,504 1,000,000 0 83,000 381,412 
			
			 Southampton 575,840 0 625,000 0 0 315,152 
			
			 2004–05   
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 477,643 1,879,133 1,170,000 60,000 97,500 788,652 
			 Greenwich 687,260 3,194,667 1,820,000 0 129,000 875,753 
			 Hackney 494,815 2,268,056 1,094,167 0 51,000 768,096 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 456,012 1,401,983 1,040,000 0 78,000 289,790 
			 Islington 523,894 2,483,301 1,170,000 120,000 15,000 507,050 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 379,009 716,872 520,000 0 76,500 232,276 
			 Lambeth 524,275 1,995,001 1,300,000 0 76,500 641,236 
			 Lewisham 641,621 3,844,622 1,560,000 0 57,000 553,570 
			 Southward 641,749 3,214,572 1,690,000 100,000 27,000 636,204 
			 Tower Hamlets 655,941 3,762,326 2,080,000 181,000 0 747,278 
			 Wandsworth 595,125 1,915,649 1,170,000 40,000 77,000 926,156 
			 Westminster 440,701 1,118,524 1,040,000 0 28,000 417,596 
			
			 Southampton 582,035 0 910,000 0 0 737,018 
		
	
	
		
			   £ 
			  Specialist Schools (Capital) Qualifications Work Related Learning at Key Stage 4 Enterprise Learning Pupil Learning Credits Fresh Start 
		
		
			 2003–04   
			 City of London 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 0 — — 5,300 — 0 
			 Greenwich 0 — — 33,548 — 0 
			 Hackney 0 — — 185,000 — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Islington 0 — — 0 — 235,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Lambeth 0 — — 15,000 — 0 
			 Lewisham 200,000 — — 10,200 — 0 
			 Southwark 0 — — 30,000 — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 100,000 — — 63,500 — 0 
			 Wandsworth 100,000 — — 16,010 — 0 
			 Westminster 0 — — 67,528 — 0 
			
			 Southampton 100,000 — — 0 — 0 
			
			 2004–05   
			 City of London 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Camden 200,000 — — 0 — 0 
			 Greenwich 0 — — 130,000 — 0 
			 Hackney 0 — — 185,000 — 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 200,000 — — 18,000 — 0 
			 Islington 300,000 — — 0 — 950,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Lambeth 100,000 — — 15,000 — 0 
			 Lewisham 300,000 — — 10,200 — 85,000 
			 Southwark 0 — — 0 — 0 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 — — 210,500 — 0 
			 Wandsworth 0 — — 75,000 — 0 
			 Westminster 0 — — 67,828 — 0 
			
			 Southampton 300,000 — — 0 — 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Local education authority Fresh Start (Capital) London Challenge Golden Hellos School Improvement/Targeted Improvement Total for year 
		
		
			 2003–04  
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 500 
			 Camden 0 264,628 76,773 16,750 4,639,103 
			 Greenwich 0 469,070 201,724 276,100 7,424,826 
			 Hackney 0 720,962 52,470 107,805 5,591,592 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 737,006 8,526 196,000 4,004,501 
			 Islington 250,000 346,340 37,120 119,200 5,364,607 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 86,555 0 6,000 2,106,904 
			 Lambeth 0 196,635 0 46,000 4,278,767 
			 Lewisham 0 440,608 90,240 66,000 6,740,544 
			 Southwark 0 316,015 32,000 80,130 6,083,481 
			 Tower Hamlets 0 455,763 66,332 334,563 8,160,893 
			 Wandsworth 0 239,417 0 52,000 4,764,408 
			 Westminster 0 203,521 44,584 55,900 3,362,136 
			   
			 Southampton 0 0 0 443,000 2,058,992 
			   
			 2004–05  
			 City of London — 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden — 297,388 80,788 15,950 5,067,054 
			 Greenwich — 731,726 51,504 103,250 7,723,160 
			 Hackney — 1,372,292 26,594 47,500 6,307,520 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — 261,626 43,720 108,500 3,897,632 
			 Islington — 579,113 116,000 67,500 6,831,858 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — 88,995 0 6,000 2,019,652 
			 Lambeth — 497,397 121,824 46,000 5,317,233 
			 Lewisham — 730,199 36,000 66,000 7,884,213 
			 Southwark — 790,171 0 80,125 7,179,821 
			 Tower Hamlets — 539,311 105,839 68,000 8,350,195 
			 Wandsworth — 773,322 19,467 52,000 5,643,719 
			 Westminster — 325,462 71,335 56,050 3,565,496 
			   
			 Southampton — 0 0 181,000 2,710,053 
		
	
	Notes:
	'—' Indicates the grant did not exist that year.
	'0' Indicates the grant did exist that year but the LEA did not receive an allocation.

Mathematics (Primary Schools)

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the teaching of multiplication tables by rote in primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: The teaching of multiplication tables is an important part of the guidance offered to schools by the Primary National Strategy. One of its key objectives is that all pupils should know by heart all multiplication facts up to 10X10.
	It is for schools to determine the best approaches to use to achieve this, given the individual learning needs of their pupils.

Out-of-Hours Learning

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her estimate is of the proportion of schools that have drawn up home-school agreements as required by the School Standards Framework Act 1998.

Jacqui Smith: We expect all maintained schools to have a home-school agreement in place.

Primary School Closures

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a primary school's added value is taken into account when decisions are made regarding school closures and surplus places.

Jacqui Smith: Since 1998 decisions on the organisation of school places have been taken by local School Organisation Committees (SOCs) or, where the SOC cannot reach a unanimous decision, the schools adjudicator.
	In making their decision, the SOC and schools adjudicator must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. This sets out a range of factors that must be considered, including whether the proposals will improve standards, particularly at those schools which are the subject of proposals. When considering this aspect of the proposals, the SOC or the adjudicator have a range of indicators available to them including recent Ofsted reports and the autumn package of performance data which includes schools' value added measures.

Primary School Rebuild

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when the criteria for rebuilding primary schools will be announced;
	(2)  whether Building Schools for the Future will be used as the template for the Department's plan to refurbish primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: In his March 2005 Budget, the Chancellor announced that in 2008–09, an additional £150 million of capital will be provided to renew primary school buildings in England, which will rise to £500 million in 2009–10. This funding is additional to the annual investment in schools of £6.3 billion which we will provide by 2006–07, and is to support our aim of rebuilding or renewing up to half of all primary schools in England in around 15 years from then.
	I am still considering this programme, including issues such as criteria, and I aim to announce further details later this year. This new investment should transform primary schools, renew decayed and unsuitable buildings, and provide the wrap-around and extended school provision for our children that is at the heart of "Every Child Matters". Like Building Schools for the Future, our primary schools programme will drive reform of the primary system and improvements in educational standards, provide good places for teachers to teach and pupils to learn, which are used by the community, and which are well designed and built on time and at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.

School Discipline

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will include a representative of children as a stakeholder group in the Leadership Group on Pupil Behaviour and Discipline to be chaired by Sir Alan Steer.

Jacqui Smith: There will not be a pupil representative on the group itself but the group will be receiving representations from children and young people.

School Meals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much she plans to make available to schools in Coventry, South to improve school meals over the next three years; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing and improving their "whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when (a) Haringey local education authority and (b) schools in the London borough of Haringey council area are expected to receive extra funding to improve school meals; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing and improving their "whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when (a) Staffordshire local education authority and (b) schools in Tamworth are expected to receive extra funding to improve school meals.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing and improving their "whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced in due course.

School Meals

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the expenditure on (a) capital equipment and alterations and (b) re-training necessary to meet higher nutritional standards in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are investing £5.5 billion in 2005–06, rising to £6.3 billion in 2007–08 to improve school buildings. This will include £1 billion allocated directly to schools for their priority needs. Decisions on how to prioritise investment are made locally through the asset management planning process, which should reflect government aims as well as local needs. The Building Schools for the Future programme aims to bring all secondary schools to 21st century standard, including kitchen and dining facilities. Additional funding of £650 million for primary schools has already been announced for 2008–09 and 2009–10, and further details of this programme will be announced later this year.
	Every school is allocated money to improve its building each year, which can be spent on kitchen and dining facilities. Devolved Formula Capital guidance for 2005–06 makes clear the priority attached to schools making plans to provide at least one hot meal a day on the premises, and for this to be eaten in reasonable comfort in suitable dining facilities.
	There are also funds specifically earmarked for the refurbishment of school kitchens in Voluntary Aided (VA) schools. This results from the reform of liabilities and funding arrangements at VA schools in 2002, when their governing bodies took on responsibility for some buildings (including kitchens) which were previously the responsibility of local education authorities.
	The Secretary of State recently announced that over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08 £220 million new funding grants will be given direct to schools and local education authorities. These grants are part of a wider package to improve the quality of school meals. Decisions on spending these grants will be made at local level, but we have already made clear the importance we attach to school catering staff being given the knowledge and skills they need to deliver a healthier school meals service.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will publish details of the formulae for distributing to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools the funding to improve school meals announced on 30 March.

Jacqui Smith: Over the three years 2005–06 to 2007–08, all maintained schools in England will receive a share of the £220 million set aside to help local education authorities and schools strengthen their support for healthy eating and to provide better quality food. Of this, £30 million each year will go to schools to help meet transitional costs involved in developing and improving their "whole school" approach to food. £30/50/50 million will go to LEAs to enable them to support schools with this process, with an emphasis on schools in deprived areas and schools starting from a low base.
	The first instalment of this additional funding will be available to schools and LEAs this autumn. Further details about the distribution of both grants between individual local authorities and schools will be announced over the summer.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are used for allocating capital funding to (a) build and (b) refit school kitchens.

Jacqui Smith: The Government are investing £5.5 billion in 2005–06, rising to £6.3 billion in 2007–08 to improve school buildings, including kitchen and dining facilities. Much of this funding is allocated to schools and authorities by needs-related formula. Decisions on how to prioritise investment are made locally through the asset management planning process, which should reflect Government aims as well as local needs, based on a survey of all school buildings.
	The Building Schools for the Future programme aims to bring all secondary schools to 21st century standard, including kitchen and dining facilities. Additional funding of £650 million for primary schools has already been announced for 2008–09 and 2009–10, and further details of this programme will be announced later this year.
	By 2006–07, school funding will include £1 billion allocated directly to schools for their priority needs, which can be spent on kitchen and dining facilities. Our current guidance on schools' devolved formula capital makes clear the priority attached to schools making plans to provide at least one hot meal a day on the premises, and for this to be eaten in reasonable comfort in suitable dining facilities.
	There are also funds specifically earmarked for the refurbishment of school kitchens in voluntary Aided (VA) schools. This results from the reform of liabilities and funding arrangements at VA schools in 2002, when their governing bodies took on responsibility for some buildings (including kitchens) which were previously the responsibility of local education authorities.

Schools Funding

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the per capita pupil funding in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) the London borough of Haringey and (ii) Greater London (A) is in 2005–06 and (B) has been in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of differences between the figures; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested for Haringey and Greater Londonin the table. Total funding includes funding via education formula spending/standard spending assessment and revenue grants allocated at an LEA level. For comparability with previous years the real terms figures exclude the pensions transfer to EFS and the Learning and Skills Council from 2003–04. This transfer is included in the cash terms figures. The principal reason why funding for Haringey is greater than the London average is the high level of deprivation in Haringey.
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  2005 to 2006 cash terms, including pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 
			  LEA Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year-olds) 
		
		
			 Haringey 4,980 6,290 
			 London 4,690 5,720 
		
	
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  Real terms, excluding pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 2003- 04 to 2005–06 
			  Haringey Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year- olds) 
		
		
			 2000–01 3,690 5,040 
			 2001–02 3,970 5,380 
			 2002–03 4,100 5,450 
			 2003–04 4,300 5,760 
			 2004–05 4,510 5,980 
			 2005–06 4,680 5,920 
		
	
	
		Average funding per pupil (£)
		
			  Real terms, excluding pensions transfer to EFS and LSC 2003 to 2004 2005 to 2006 
			  Greater London Primary (3 to 10-year-olds) Secondary (11 to 15-year- olds) 
		
		
			 2000–01 3,430 4,500 
			 2001–02 3,640 4,800 
			 2002–03 3,760 4,900 
			 2003–04 4,000 5,010 
			 2004–05 4,190 5,240 
			 2005–06 4,400 5,370 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Price base: Cash terms, and Real terms at 2003–04 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 23.03.05
	2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EFS settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and LSC.
	3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES departmental expenditure limits relevant to pupils aged 3 to 10 and 11 to15, and exclude EMAs and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those LEAs in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 2004–05, advance grant funding is included in the year of payment (2004–05). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 2006–07 and 2007–08 or 2006–07 to 2008–09, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).
	4. The pupil numbers used to convert £ million figures to per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC 3-year-old maintained pupils and estimated 3 to 4-year-olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest pound.
	2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been Status: finalised/audited.

Special Educational Needs

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in each city academy were classed as having special educational needs on the last date for which figures are available; and what proportion of each school's intake that figure represents.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		Academies: number and percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN)—Position in January each year 2004 and 2005 (provisional)—England
		
			2004 
			Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Establishment name LEA name Number Percentage(53) Number Percentage(54) 
		
		
			 134225 The Academy at Peckham Southwark 44 4.5 407 41.2 
			 134223 The King's Academy Middlesbrough 90 8.7 222 21.4 
			 134222 City of London Academy (Southwark) Southwark 16 9.0 0 0.0 
			 133769 The Business Academy Bexley Bexley 39 4.7 420 50.2 
			 134226 Capital City Academy Brent 21 2.5 241 28.7 
			 134369 West London Academy Eating 14 1.8 234 30.0 
			 133386 Greig City Academy, Haringey Haringey 5 0.7 186 25.2 
			 133697 Walsall Academy Walsall 15 3.3 23 5.1 
			 134224 Manchester Academy Manchester 9 1.3 87 12.7 
			 134221 The City Academy Bristol Bristol City of 46 4.2 299 27.5 
			 133768 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 33 2.9 333 29.6 
			 134253 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham Nottingham (55)— (55)— 345 23.3 
			 134693 Mossboume Community Academy Hackney (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134798 London Academy Bamet (56)—  (56)— (56)— 
			 134797 Stockley Academy Hillingdon (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134814 Northampton Academy Northamptonshire (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
			 134815 Lambeth Academy Lambeth (56)— (56)— (56)— (56)— 
		
	
	
		
			2005(provisional) 1 
			Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Establishment name LEA name Number Percentage(53) Number Percentage(54) 
		
		
			 134225 The Academy at Peckham Southwark 40 3.6 450 41.3 
			 134223 The King's Academy Middlesbrough 100 9.1 240 23.4 
			 134222 City of London Academy (Southwark) Southwark 20 6.1 50 12.7 
			 133769 The Business Academy Bexley Bexley 80 5.5 590 42.4 
			 134226 Capital City Academy Brent 20 2.2 230 24.7 
			 134369 West London Academy Eating 30 2.3 320 28.7 
			 133386 Greig City Academy, Haringey Haringey 10 0.7 180 25.4 
			 133697 Walsall Academy Walsall 20 2.7 30 4.8 
			 134224 Manchester Academy Manchester 10 1.0 100 13.3 
			 134221 The City Academy Bristol Bristol City of 40 3.7 270 24.3 
			 133768 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 30 2.8 360 31.9 
			 134253 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham Nottingham (55)— (55)— 420 26.3 
			 134693 Mossboume Community Academy Hackney 10 4.1 40 19.3 
			 134798 London Academy Bamet 50 4.4 410 33.9 
			 134797 Stockley Academy Hillingdon 20 3.2 170 29.7 
			 134814 Northampton Academy Northamptonshire 30 2.7 330 26.4 
			 134815 Lambeth Academy Lambeth 10 6.5 20 8.2 
		
	
	(52) Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(53) The number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(54) The number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(55) Less than 5, or a rate based on less than 5.
	(56) Not applicable.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census.

Special Educational Needs

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of secondary school students are classed as having special educational needs in each local authority which has a city academy.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools(57): number and percentage of pupils with special educational needs(58)—position in January each year 2004 and 2005 (provisional). Local education authority areas with at least one academy
		
			  Maintained secondary schools 
			  2004 2005 (provisional) 3 
			  Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements 
			  Number Percentage(60) Number Percentage(61) Number Percentage(60) Number Percentage(61) 
		
		
			 England 78,487 2.4 450,122 13.5 75,700 2.3 468,900 14.3 
			 All LEAs with academies 3,535 2.3 26,440 17.4 5,163 2.3 38,023 16.6 
			 204 Hackney (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 160 2.2 1,430 19.7 
			 208 Lambeth (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 120 2.3 1,400 26.1 
			 210 Southwark 331 3.3 2,838 28.3 310 3.1 2,770 26.9 
			 302 Barnet (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 430 2.3 2,760 14.7 
			 303 Bexley 363 2.0 2,504 13.9 340 1.9 2,570 14.7 
			 304 Brent 387 2.4 2,206 13.8 320 2.0 2,090 13.0 
			 307 Ealing 314 2.1 2,927 19.6 330 2.2 3,040 20.2 
			 309 Haringey 285 2.5 2,760 24.6 310 2.7 2,430 21.2 
			 312 Hillingdon (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 420 2.4 2,090 12.0 
			 335 Walsall 538 2.5 2,637 12.3 460 2.2 2,730 12.9 
			 352 Manchester 548 2.3 3,848 16.3 590 2.5 3,810 16.0 
			 801 Bristol, City of 468 2.8 3,006 18.0 380 2.3 2,660 16.4 
			 806 Middlesbrough 201 3.5 983 16.9 200 3.6 1,070 18.9 
			 892 Nottingham 100 0.7 2,731 19.6 100 0.7 2,780 20.1 
			 928 Northamptonshire (62)— (62)— (62)— (62)— 1,130 2.5 8,230 18.1 
		
	
	(57) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(58) Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(59) Provisional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(60) The number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(61) The number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a percentage of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils).
	(62) Not applicable, no academies in the LEA.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Teacher Qualifications

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) citizenship and (b) personal, social and health education teachers giving financial literacy lessons at Key Stages 3 and 4 had (i) GCSE or O level, (ii) A level and (iii) degree level qualifications in mathematics in 2003/04.

Jacqui Smith: The Information requested is not available. Information on the post A level qualification in Citizenship and PSHE for those teaching these subjects can be found in tables 24 and 25 of The Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England Volume, 2004 edition, a copy of which have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Alternatively it may be accessed at the following URL: http://www.dfes. gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000443/index.shtml
	It is a requirement for the attainment of qualified teacher status to have GCSE Mathematics at grade A to C or an equivalent qualification.

Tuition Fees

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was raised through student tuition fees in Hammersmith and Fulham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004.

Bill Rammell: Students on full-time undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of their tuition only if they can afford to do so. The amount of the contribution depends on family income.
	The amount of private contributions to tuition fees by students from Hammersmith and Fulham, and England and Wales for academic year 2004/05 are given in the table.
	
		Private contribution to tuition fees in Hammersmith and Fulham, and England and Wales for academic year 2004/05
		
			 Academic year 2004/05 1 £ million 
		
		
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0.8 
			 England and Wales 424.7 
		
	
	(72) Provisional (as at 8 June 2005)
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	Private contributions to tuition fees were introduced in 1998/99 therefore no data are available for academic year 1997/98.
	Up to 2002/03, data were collected from LEAs to produce national estimates and the data collection exercise did not allow for the production of firm figures below this level; data at local education authority or regional level are therefore not available for 2001/02.